In a dazzling ceremony held in Paris, Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmati celebrated their remarkable achievements by winning the prestigious men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards, solidifying their status as the world’s finest footballers. However, the event did not go unnoticed by Real Madrid, who made headlines by opting to boycotting the ceremony amidst their dissatisfaction.
Rodri, the 28-year-old Manchester City stalwart, took home the coveted award for the first time on Monday evening. His journey to this pinnacle was marked by an impressive season where he played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s conquest of the Premier League and contributed significantly to Spain’s triumph at the European Championship in July. This victory not only showcased his individual talent but also underscored his importance to his teams.
He dethroned the legendary Lionel Messi, an eight-time recipient of the award, and surpassed Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who came in a close second. This result sparked outrage among the ranks of the Madrid club, leading to an absence from the ceremony and vocal expressions of displeasure on social media platforms.
For the first time in over two decades, neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo was in contention for this prestigious accolade. Their absence marked a significant shift in the footballing landscape, highlighting the emergence of fresh talents such as Rodri.
Upon receiving the award, Rodri’s emotions overwhelmed him as former winner George Weah announced his name. The moment visibly touched him, leading him to cover his face in disbelief and joy. “Incredible night for me,” said a visibly moved Rodri, who attended the ceremony on crutches due to a season-ending injury. “One of my key things is I always try to improve every game.”
Despite being known for his hard work and unselfish play rather than flamboyance or goal-scoring prowess, Rodri humbly redirected the accolades to his teammates. “I just want to say thank you again to the people who recognise my value in the game,” he emphasized, reflecting on his childhood dreams. “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.”
While Rodri may not light up the scoresheet like Messi or Ronaldo, his immense influence on Manchester City’s performance is irrefutable, especially his defensive acumen and ability to orchestrate play from deep positions. “I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best,” he articulated, embodying the relentless drive that characterizes his approach to the game.
With Rodri in the lineup, Manchester City often appeared invincible, while his technical finesse allowed him to adapt seamlessly into the fast-paced style that defined Spain’s success during Euro 2024. In a historic moment for Manchester City, Rodri stands out as the first player from the club to claim the Ballon d’Or.
Aitana Bonmati, at 26 years of age, successfully defended her title and took home the women’s Ballon d’Or award in recognition of her instrumental role in Barcelona’s dominance across domestic and European competitions, including winning the Spanish league, the Spanish Cup, and the Champions League. This remarkable feat positions her alongside her teammate Alexia Putellas, marking a shared legacy since the inaugural women’s trophy was awarded in 2018.
Bonmati triumphed over fellow Barcelona players Caroline Graham Hansen from Norway and Spanish sensation Salma Paralluelo, completing a remarkable 1-2-3 finish for her club on this star-studded night.
“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” stated Bonmati, radiating gratitude as she acknowledged the collective support of her teammates and clubs that has played a vital role in her development as a world-class footballer. “Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better football player every year.”
Continuing her exceptional performance, Bonmati scored 19 goals for Barcelona for the second consecutive season while adding five goals in just five matches for the Spanish national team, bringing her remarkable international tally to 26.
In a celebration of Spanish football talents, the young prodigy Lamine Yamal also received recognition, being named the Kopa award winner for the best under-21 player. Furthermore, Barcelona added to their accolades by being awarded the best women’s team award.
The 2024 winners list! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/kV28kY5io7
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Real Madrid players back Vinicius
Despite their notable presence in the rankings—attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham finishing third and Dani Carvajal taking fourth place—Real Madrid chose not to attend the Paris gala. Instead, Coach Carlo Ancelotti shared his sentiments via social media, alongside Vinicius, who many had deemed the frontrunner for the award, reflecting the club’s dissatisfaction.
“I’ll do it 10x if needed,” Vinicius expressed in Portuguese, emphasizing his determination. “They are not ready.”
Karim Benzema, a former star for Madrid who claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2022, offered supportive words through social media, proclaiming Vinicius as “Trop Fort,” or “Too Strong,” celebrating his talent.
Echoing the club’s sentiments, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga criticized the voting process as “football politics,” asserting that the award could not define true excellence in the game. “My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise,” he asserted on X, sharing a joyful moment celebrating with Vinicius.
FOOTBALL POLITICS ❌
My brother you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. Love you my bro ❤️ pic.twitter.com/X3yAH1Sl0p
— Eduardo Camavinga (@Camavinga) October 28, 2024
Despite their absence, Real Madrid was honored as the best men’s team of the year, marking a recognition of their achievements despite the controversy surrounding the individual awards.
Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane both received the Gerd Mueller Trophy for scoring the most goals for club and country last season, each netting an impressive 52 goals. This award followed Mbappe’s move to Madrid during the summer transfer window.
In a testament to exceptional goalkeeping, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez retained the prestigious Lev Yashin Award, recognizing him as the best goalkeeper in the world.
Moreover, Ancelotti and Olympic-winning coach Emma Hayes were celebrated with the Johan Cruyff Award for best men’s and women’s coach, respectively, highlighting their pivotal roles in their teams’ successes.
In a moment of solidarity and recognition of social justice, Spain forward Jenni Hermoso was bestowed with the Socrates award for her humanitarian contributions, following her fight against sexism in football after her controversial encounter at the Women’s World Cup final.
A special tribute was paid by France Football to the wife and son of the legendary Germany footballer Franz Beckenbauer, honoring his lasting impact on the sport.
