Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony held in Paris, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was crowned the prestigious men’s award winner, edging out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati secured the women’s accolade, marking her second consecutive win. The event was marked by the notable absence of the Real Madrid delegation, who boycotted the ceremony despite being named the men’s club of the year.
Rodri triumphed over a strong field that included Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal, and Jude Bellingham, much to the disappointment of the Madrid side, who decided to stay home. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Vinicius responded to the announcement, asserting, “I’ll do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Despite suffering an ACL injury in September, Rodri enjoyed a remarkable season, leading Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and lifting the Euro 2024 trophy with Spain. The 28-year-old stood out in the tournament, earning the Best Player award, even though he had to exit the final against England at half-time.
Rodri arrived on crutches to receive his award and shared a heartfelt message of gratitude during his acceptance speech. “I have so many things to thank people for. First of all to France Football and to UEFA for giving me this award. I would like to thank those who voted for me and put their trust in me. Today is a very special day for me and my family, my country,” he said.
The midfielder’s achievement is particularly significant as he becomes the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since its inception in 1956 and the first Spaniard to win it since Luis Suarez in 1960. He last experienced defeat with club and country over 74 games and 475 days, with his last Premier League loss occurring in February 2023.
Aitana Bonmati was recognized as the top female player for her exceptional contributions to Barcelona, guiding the club to success in both La Liga F and the women’s Champions League. She was joined on the podium by her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, further showcasing Barcelona’s dominance in women’s football.
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The ceremony also saw Carlo Ancelotti awarded the Johan Cruyff Trophy for men’s coach of the year, while Emma Hayes collected the women’s version after leading the USA to Olympic gold. Kylian Mbappe, who shared the Gerd Muller trophy with Harry Kane for their outstanding goal-scoring records, missed the ceremony as Real Madrid’s delegation opted to boycott.
The Kopa Trophy for the best male player under 21 went to Barcelona’s Yamine Lamal, who made history as the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history. Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez retained the Yashin Trophy as the world’s best goalkeeper, recognized for his exceptional performances in both club and international competitions.
This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony not only highlighted individual brilliance but also the ongoing evolution of football, as new stars continue to emerge on both the men’s and women’s stages.
