In a stunning display of skill and achievement, Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí claimed the coveted men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards on Monday evening, a prestigious recognition celebrating the world’s finest soccer talents. The awards ceremony, held in the picturesque setting of Paris, was marred by the conspicuous absence of Real Madrid, who chose to boycott the event in what appeared to be a protest against the outcomes of the voting.
Rodri, 28 years old, secured the elite accolade for the first time, a fitting reward for his instrumental role in Manchester City’s Premier League victory and Spain’s triumph at the European Championship. His remarkable journey culminated in this moment, a testament to his hard work and dedication on the pitch.
In a significant achievement, Rodri surpassed the legendary Lionel Messi, who has won the award an astounding eight times, and left Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in second place, sparking controversy within the club ranks. Madrid’s snub of the gala only added to the tension, as players aired their grievances on social platforms.
When Rodri’s name was announced by former award winner George Weah, raw emotion overtook him, prompting him to cover his face with his hands in disbelief and joy.
“Incredible night for me,” he reflected, despite grappling with the setback of being sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury sustained last month, necessitating his arrival at the ceremony on crutches. “One of my key things is I always try to improve every game,” he articulated, showcasing his relentless drive to evolve as a player.
Rodri consistently deflects personal accolades, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. “I just want to say thank you again to the people who recognize my value in the game,” he stated with humility. “When I was a kid, I never thought of winning the Ballon d’Or, but in the last years, I’ve been playing at the highest level.”
Aitana Bonmatí, 26, also made her mark by successfully defending her title after an illustrious season that saw Barcelona secure the Spanish league, the Spanish cup, and the prestigious Champions League triumph. Her accomplishment places her alongside teammate Alexia Putellas as the only women to claim the award since its inception in 2018 while validating the dominance of Barcelona in women’s football. Bonmatí triumphed over teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, sealing an impressive 1-2-3 for the Catalan giants.
“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” Bonmatí expressed, graciously accepting her award from Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman. “Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better football player every year.”
Despite not attending the ceremony in person, Real Madrid players Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal finished third and fourth, respectively, in the voting, while head coach Carlo Ancelotti was honored with the coach of the year award. However, the absence of the entire Madrid contingent cast a shadow over the event.
Instead of attending, Ancelotti expressed his sentiments through a message posted on social media platform X, with similar statements echoed by Vinícius, who was widely regarded as a potential winner, despite Rodri’s outstanding season.
“I’ll do it 10x if needed,” Vinicius declared passionately in Portuguese. “They are not ready.”
As the conversation around the voting process intensified, Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga voiced his frustration, labeling the outcome as “football politics.”
In a show of solidarity for Vinícius, Camavinga posted, “My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise,” accompanied by a heartfelt photo of their joyful celebration together.
Former Madrid star Karim Benzema, who previously captured the Ballon d’Or title in 2022, also lent his support through a message on Instagram in French, expressing, “Trop Fort” (“Too Strong”).
2023 marked a historic moment, as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo — titans of the sport who have collectively garnered the award an unprecedented 13 times — were nominated, the first occurrence of such a circumstance since 2003.
Despite not being the dazzling scorer like Messi and Ronaldo, Rodri’s influence on Manchester City is undeniable; his defensive acumen and precise ball distribution have been critical to the team’s strategies. “I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best,” he shared, showcasing his commitment to growth.
With Rodri in the lineup, City often operated like a well-oiled machine, demonstrating formidable dominance, while his technical prowess allowed him to fit seamlessly into the rapid-paced play that characterized Spain’s success in Euro 2024. He made history by becoming the first City player to obtain the Ballon d’Or accolade.
“He is a player completely without ego, whose performance level over a very long period of time has been exceptional,” praised Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s director of football. “The consistency he has shown is the result of hard work and dedication.”
Bonmatí showcased her scoring prowess once again, netting 19 goals for Barcelona for the second consecutive season, and has already managed to score five times in just five international fixtures for Spain, raising her career total to 26 goals.
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football magazine, has been a hallmark of individual excellence since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women, judged by an extensive panel of journalists from the top 100 nations according to FIFA rankings.
Voting involves each journalist selecting ten players ranked in order, with points awarded based on their rankings. The winner is the one who accumulates the highest points. Distinct from FIFA’s awards, the voting process is exclusive to journalists, excluding fan participation.
Yamal’s trophy and other awards
In a night of remarkable achievements for Spain and Barcelona, young phenom Lamine Yamal, celebrated for being the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship, was honored with the Kopa award for the best Under-21 player, further highlighting the country’s continued success in soccer.
Absent from the spotlight, Real Madrid was recognized as the best men’s team, showcasing their enduring prominence in the football landscape.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for the most goals scored for club and country last season, each netting an impressive 52 goals, with Mbappé having made a move to Madrid during the offseason.
Emiliano Martínez from Argentina once again claimed the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper, recognized for his remarkable penalty-saving skills that have made him a stand-out figure in goalkeeping.
Coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes were lauded as the best in their respective categories, receiving the Johan Cruyff award for their outstanding leadership in men’s and women’s football.
Jenni Hermoso, a forward for Spain, honored for her courage and activism in combating sexism, received the Socrates award for her significant humanitarian contributions to the sport.
As a poignant tribute, France Football presented a special award to the late Germany great Franz Beckenbauer’s wife and son, recognizing his enduring legacy within the sport.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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