The Spanish footballer Rodri Hernández was announced this Monday as the new winner of the Ballon d’Or 2024 and won the fight over the Brazilian Vinicius Jr., who until the weekend looked like the great favorite to win the award.
This award is awarded by the French magazine France Football to the best player of the year, defined according to the criteria of specialists in the so-called beautiful sport, as long as he plays for a club in Europe.
On this occasion it was the Manchester City midfielder from England who came in first place in the voting and became only the third Spaniard to obtain the award in almost 70 years of history. His last compatriot to win it was Luis Suárez in 1960, while the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano achieved it in 1957 and 1959.
During 2024, Rodri, 28 years old, was an important player in both his club and his national team. For the “citizens” he was vital in winning the Premier League (English first division), while with Spain he became champion of the Euro Cup.
In total during the 2023/2024 season he scored 12 goals and distributed 14 assists in 63 games played, not inconsiderable figures for a defensive midfielder.
Controversy
Until the weekend everything seemed set for the Real Madrid attacker, Vinicius Jr., to get his first Ballon d’Or. However, everything took a drastic turn when the information was leaked that Rodri would be the winner.
In fact, the merengue club delegation did not attend the gala, held at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, France. In addition, a stir was generated on social networks, led by a debate between those who believed the Brazilian deserved the award and those who were satisfied with the final decision.
One of the main arguments of those in favor of the forward of the “white house” is that he was a figure in both the European Champions League (highest club competition) and La Liga (Spain’s first division), and In both competitions Madrid was the monarch. To that we must add the 26 goals and 11 assists he registered throughout the season.
A third side was also seen in the discussion among soccer lovers: those who believe that the Spanish defender Dani Carvajal should have been the winner in the dispute, since he stood out at the club level with Real Madrid and the national team with La Roja.
The truth of the matter is that Rodri was first, Vinicius Jr. second, the Englishman Jude Bellingham third and Carvajal fourth.
Winners
The Spanish Aitana Bonmati was the winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or. At the gala, Lamine Yamal was also awarded the award for best young player, Real Madrid was announced the best club of the season and its technical director Carlo Ancelotti the best coach.
Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane won the award for best scorers, while Emiliano Martínez was the best goalkeeper.
In the women’s division, FC Barcelona was the best team and Emma Hayes was the best strategist.
Barcelona / Javier A. Guaipo
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**Interview with Sports Analyst, Maria López, on Rodri Hernández’s Ballon d’Or Win and Real Madrid’s Boycott**
**Interviewer**: Welcome, Maria! Rodri Hernández has just been named the Ballon d’Or winner for 2024, beating the favored Vinicius Jr. What are your thoughts on his achievement?
**Maria López**: Thank you for having me! Rodri’s win is certainly well-deserved. He had an outstanding season with Manchester City, playing a crucial role in their Premier League triumph and contributing to Spain’s Euro Cup victory. It’s also historical; he’s only the third Spaniard to win the accolade in nearly 70 years, joining the ranks of legends like Di Stéfano and Suárez.
**Interviewer**: That’s impressive indeed! However, there seems to be some controversy regarding Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the ceremony. What’s your take on that?
**Maria López**: Yes, the boycott has sparked quite a debate. Pep Guardiola commented that he’s “not here to judge” but it’s clear that Real Madrid feels strongly about the recognition of their players, especially considering Vinicius Jr.’s form this year. The timing of the boycott, right when Vinicius seemed to be in the lead for the award, adds an intriguing layer to the story.
**Interviewer**: Do you think this boycott will have lasting implications for the relationship between Real Madrid and the Ballon d’Or?
**Maria López**: It’s possible. Real Madrid has a rich history with individual awards, and this action reflects their frustration with perceived biases. Depending on the public and media reactions, it could lead to a larger conversation about how the awards are voted on and the transparency of the process.
**Interviewer**: What do you think this win means for Rodri personally and professionally in the long run?
**Maria López**: Personally, it’s a massive achievement that solidifies his place among the best in football. Professionally, this recognition can boost his confidence and marketability. For a defensive midfielder, winning such an accolade can sometimes be overlooked, but Rodri has shown that he can contribute significantly on both ends of the pitch.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights on this exciting topic!
**Maria López**: My pleasure! It’s an exciting time in football, and I can’t wait to see how this story develops.
