In a remarkable evening dedicated to soccer excellence, Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí emerged triumphant, claiming the prestigious men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night in Paris, while Real Madrid notably chose to boycott the star-studded ceremony, signaling their dissatisfaction over the results.
In a stunning display of talent, the 28-year-old Rodri was crowned Ballon d’Or winner for the first time, following an illustrious season where he played an integral role in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s success at the European Championship.
His victory marked a significant moment as he succeeded Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, an eight-time recipient of the award, and edged out Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who finished in second place — a result that sparked irritated reactions from the Spanish club and its players, who took to social media to express their discontent.
When his name was announced by former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, Rodri was visibly moved, covering his face with his hands in disbelief at the honor bestowed upon him.
“An incredible night for me,” said Rodri, who, despite being on crutches due to a severe ACL injury that will keep him sidelined for the season, radiated positivity. “One of my key things is I always try to improve every game,” he declared, emphasizing his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Rodri is celebrated for his unwavering work ethic and ability to elevate his teammates’ performances. In a modest tone, he reflected, “I just want to say thank you again to the people who recognize my value in the game,” sharing how he once dreamed of simply playing soccer, let alone winning such an esteemed individual accolade.
Bonmatí, aged 26, retained her title after a spectacular year instrumental in Barcelona’s historic treble, winning the Spanish league, the Spanish cup, and the Champions League. She is now among the elite few, joining her teammate Alexia Putellas in winning two Ballon d’Or titles since the inception of the women’s award in 2018, indicating Barcelona’s dominance as they swept the podium spots with teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo rounding out the top three.
Receiving her award from Hollywood star Natalie Portman, Bonmatí expressed her gratitude, stating, “It’s a pleasure to be here again. Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better football player every year.”
Despite their notable achievements—attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham securing third place and Dani Carvajal landing fourth, alongside Carlo Ancelotti winning the coveted coach of the year award—Real Madrid officials chose to skip the gala in Paris, further highlighting their disappointment.
Ancelotti took to social media to convey his sentiments, expressing solidarity with his players, including Vinícius, long regarded as a leading contender for the award. “I’ll do it 10x if needed,” Vinícius quipped in Portuguese. “They are not ready,” he remarked, adding to the chorus of Madrid’s dissatisfaction.
Eduardo Camavinga, a young talent at Madrid, did not hold back his thoughts on the voting process, describing it as “football politics,” critiquing the seemingly biased selection.
“My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise,” the French international proclaimed on social media, accompanying it with a photo celebrating with Vinicius. “Love you, my bro,” he added, demonstrating profound camaraderie.
Karim Benzema, the former Madrid star who clinched the Ballon d’Or in 2022, shared support for Vinícius through a heartfelt post in French, stating “Trop Fort” (“Too Strong”), highlighting the club’s unwavering belief in their players.
This year’s Ballon d’Or saw a notable absence of both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—legends who have collectively won the accolade 13 times—marking a striking first since 2003.
Rodri, known for his pragmatic style of play, focused on ball retention and defensive reliability, showcased his impactful contributions to Manchester City’s success, often acting as the unsung hero in the squad.
“I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best,” Rodri stated, highlighting his aspiration to continually elevate his performance.
At times, City appeared invincible with Rodri anchoring the midfield, blending seamlessly with the high-paced, precise style that Spain adopted during Euro 2024. His win cements his status as the first Manchester City player in history to claim the Ballon d’Or.
“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,” affirming Rodri’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
Bonmatí’s goal-scoring prowess did not go unnoticed, as she bagged 19 goals for Barcelona for two consecutive seasons and scored five in five games for Spain this year, bringing her international goal tally to a remarkable 26.
Since its inception by France Football in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has become the ultimate recognition of football prowess, awarded annually for men and since 2018 for women. The award is determined through votes cast by esteemed journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings, ensuring a global celebration of football talent.
Each journalist selects a ranked list of 10 players, with points awarded based on their position; ultimately, the player with the highest point total is crowned the winner. Unlike FIFA’s accolades, this prestigious award does not involve fan voting, maintaining its exclusive journalist-based selection process.
Yamal’s trophy and other awards
In a night that highlighted Spanish talent, the teen prodigy Lamine Yamal, recognized as the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship, proudly received the Kopa award for the best Under-21 player, adding to Barcelona’s accolades which included being named the best women’s team.
Despite their absence, Real Madrid was voted the best men’s team, a title grounded in their impressive performances over the past season.
The Gerd Mueller award for most goals at club and country level last season was shared between former PSG standout Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, both netting 52 times. Notably, Mbappé has since joined Real Madrid following a summer transfer.
Retaining the coveted Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper was Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, who is renowned for his exceptional penalty-saving abilities.
Coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes, who triumphed in international and club competitions respectively, were honored with the Johan Cruyff award for best men’s and women’s coach.
Jenni Hermoso, a forward for Spain who has become an emblematic figure in the fight against sexism in Spanish soccer after her controversial experience at the last Women’s World Cup, was awarded the Socrates award for her humanitarian efforts.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Ballon d’Or ceremony concluded with a special award presented by France Football to the family of the late football icon Franz Beckenbauer.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
