The world’s top football players, Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí, are Spanish midfielders who have won the Ballon d’Or award for men and women, respectively.
After playing a major role in Spain’s victory in the European Championship and helping Manchester City win the Premier League, the 28-year-old Rodri received the coveted trophy for the first time. He succeeded Argentina’s eight-time champion Lionel Messi.
When former winner George Weah read his name, Rodri covered his face with his hands.
“It was an amazing evening for me,” Rodri, who is sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury sustained last month, said as he walked to the ceremony on crutches.
“One of my key things is I always try to improve every game.”
Bonmatí, 26, kept her prize after assisting Barcelona in winning the Champions League, the Spanish League, and the Spanish Cup. Since the inaugural awarding of the women’s trophy in 2018, Bonmatí has won two titles alongside Barca teammate Alexia Putellas.
As Barcelona finished 1-2-3, she defeated her compatriots Salma Paralluelo of Spain and Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway.
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“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” Bonmatí remarked as Oscar winner Natalie Portman presented her with the trophy.
“Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better football player every year.”
Along with his Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, Vinícius Júnior was one of the four men’s finalists. However, despite Carlo Ancelotti winning coach of the year, no Madrid supporters showed up for the downtown Paris gala.
Vinícius had been regarded as a front-runner for the prize until deciding not to attend the presentation in Paris.
According to a person who works with Vinícius and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Madrid made the choice because he was not authorized to discuss the player’s whereabouts in public.
According to reports, the decision to skip the presentation was made since it was rumored that Rodri would take home the men’s award before Vinícius.
Bellingham came in third place, while Vinícius came in second.
As the clear favorite to win the men’s award, Vinícius Júnior finished in second place. (Denis Doyle, Getty Images)
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have won the coveted individual award 13 times between them, were not in For the first time since 2003, they are in the running for this year’s prize.
Despite not being as flashy or as prolific of a scorer as Messi and Ronaldo, Rodri’s ability to defend the defense and distribute passes from the back had a significant impact on City’s squad.
“I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best,” Rodri stated.
With him in the lineup, City occasionally appeared invincible, and his superb technical skill allowed him to fit in seamlessly with Spain’s quick-passing strategy, which proved so successful at Euro 2024.
For the second consecutive season, Bonmatí scored 19 goals for Barcelona, and she has now scored five goals in five games for Spain, making her an international.
total of 26.
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France Football magazine developed the Ballon d’Or, which has been given to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. Journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings cast their votes for it.
Ten players are chosen in ranked order by each journalist, one from each nation, with points awarded for each place. The player with the highest number of points wins. Fans do not participate in the voting process, in contrast to FIFA’s annual awards for the top players.
Yamal’s trophy and further honors
Lamine Yamal of Spain stands on the field and rubs his hands together.
Lamine Yamal of Spain was named the world’s greatest young football player in the under-21 division. (Source: Leonhard Simon/Reuters)
On a pleasant evening for Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to ever score at a European Championship, earned the Kopa award for best under-21 player, while Barca took home the championship for best women’s team.
The best men’s squad was decided to be Real Madrid.
Harry Kane, a striker for Bayern Munich, and Kylian Mbappé, a former PSG forward, split the Gerd Mueller award for most club and national goals scored in the previous season with 52. Mbappé signed a contract with Real Madrid in the summer.
Emiliano Martínez, the expert in saving penalties for Argentina, was nevertheless the winner of the Lev Yashin medal for best goalkeeper.
The Johan Cruyff award for best men’s and women’s coach went to Ancelotti and Emma Hayes, who earned an Olympic medal.
After being kissed on the lips during the Women’s World Cup last year, Spain forward Jenni Hermoso has battled sexism in Spanish soccer. Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Federation, accepted the Socrates medal for humanitarian efforts.
The late German great Franz Beckenbauer’s wife and son received a special honor from France Football.
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