Manchester City star Rodri — out for the season with a double knee injury — became the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
The Spain midfielder received the honour on crutches at the Theatre du Chatelet.
Rodri, 28, helped City to a fourth straight league title this year and was an integral member of Spain’s European Championship winning side. Rodri has lost only one club game in 18 months.
Real withdrew their 50-strong delegation just hours before the ceremony after Vinicius, the Brazil winger who had been the bookies’ favourite for the prize, was reportedly tipped off that he hadn’t won.
Real won team of the year and Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year, but no one was present to collect the awards.
Soaking in the adulation on Monday night, the visibly emotional midfielder said: ‘Incredible night for me today. If you will let me, I would like to speak in my language of my country.
In Spanish, he added: ‘I always said that one of my key things is that I try to improve every day.
‘I was a traditional midfielder but when I realised I needed to get better in terms of assists and goals. You have to be like a striker because we always play in the frontal area. That is the key to improving every day.
‘People don’t know me much, I am just a normal guy. I try to enjoy my profession, try to be a good person, a leader, and learn every day from the best.
‘I am a calm person until I get upset. I am a normal guy and try to say to my kids that you don’t need to be crazy and try to do your best.
‘I am feeling much better. A big big injury, it’s part of life and sport. I try to look at the best part of this and be positive.’
In the two most excruciating moments of the glamorous affair, Carlo Ancelotti won Men’s Coach of the Year while Real bagged Men’s Team of the Year. Both prizes went uncollected after every club representative decided to join Vinicius in his boycott.
