Rodri creates history, pips Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri won the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or on Tuesday at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. This came after his impressive 2023-24 season. He won his fourth consecutive Premier League title with Manchester City and UEFA Euros 2024 with Spain. The Spanish midfielder's contribution was vital for both the teams, and was named Player of the Tournament during the Euros. With this Ballon d'Or win, Rodri has become the first player from the Premier League to claim this prestigious prize since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Didier Drogba helped Rodri walk up the stairs onto the stage with his crutches to receive the Ballon d'Or ❤️
He was emotional as he kissed the trophy ???? pic.twitter.com/tLOJvVX9Ne — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2024
The Ballon d’Or is given to the best football player in the world annually since 1956. The voting decides the award and is voted by a panel of journalists across the World. Since 2022, journalists from the Top 100 FIFA-ranked nations can vote for men, and those from the Top 50 ranked nations can vote for women’s Ballon d’Or.
Interestingly, 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony after the Spanish midfielder was chosen as the winner instead of Brazil forward Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid posted a club statement before the ceremony itself, stating if Vinicius does not win the Ballon d’Or, his Real teammate Dani Carvajal should win it. No one from Real Madrid attended the ceremony. Brazil forward Vini had a strong response on social media after not winning the Ballon d'Or.
Vini Jr. reacts to not winning the Ballon d'Or: pic.twitter.com/2puw6E7NK1 — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2024
Spain and FC Barcelona’s star Aitana Bonmati won her second consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or. The midfielder was instrumental in Barcelona’s success last season, winning four trophies, including a Champions League. She also played a key role in making Spain the inaugural champions of the Nations League. Her Barca teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo finished second and third respectively. This is the first time that Top-3 of the women’s Ballon d’Or was from the same club.
2010 men’s Ballon d’Or podium:
???? Leo Messi
???? Andrés Iniesta
???? Xavi
2024 women’s Ballon d’Or podium:
???? Aitana Bonmatí
???? Caroline Graham Hansen
???? Salma Paralluelo
Barcelona did it again ???????? pic.twitter.com/vQWacm4rA6 — B/R Football (@brfootball) October 29, 2024
Other Notable awards during the ceremony-
Kopa trophy- Lamine Yamal
Men's Coach of the Year- Carlos Ancelloti
Women’s Coach of the Year- Emma Hayes
Men’s Club Of the Year- Real Madrid
Women’s Club of the Year- FC Barcelona
Gerd Muller Trophy- Harry Kane & Kylian Mbappe
Yashin Trophy- Emilliano Martinez
