Manchester City and Spanish national team midfielder Rodri has beaten Real Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, which recognizes a player’s performance over the year, rating them as the best in the world annually.
Rodri, 28, is the first Premier League player to claim the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, who won it with Manchester United. He is also the first Spaniard to win it since 1960 and the first Manchester City player to ever receive the honour.
Amid several controversies surrounding the award, the entire Real Madrid squad and coaching staff were absent from the ceremony. It was earlier suggested that Vinícius Júnior was denied the award for non-football-related reasons orchestrated by the UEFA Champions League body.
Before the ceremony, Vinícius was the clear favorite to scoop the award following his outstanding performances with Real Madrid this year, helping them win the 2023/24 Champions League, La Liga, and the UEFA Super Cup. The result was a massive blow to Vinícius Júnior’s fans, teammates, and compatriots, who have taken the time to console him and question the integrity of the award.
Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s edition of the Ballon d’Or award, beating teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo. This marks her second consecutive win of the prestigious title.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who finished 8th in the Ballon d’Or ranking, won the Kopa Trophy, becoming the youngest player to claim the award at just 17 years old.
Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez won his second consecutive Yachine Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world.
The Real Madrid team was awarded the Best Team of the Year in the grand finale held in Paris, France.
Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid is the Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy winner after guiding the team to their 15th UEFA Champions League triumph last season.
Winner of the Men’s and Women’s categories of the award.
Ademola Lookman, the sole African on the shortlist for the award, secured 14th place in the ranking.
