 "Ballon d'Or 2024: Rodri makes history as Read Madrid boycott event; full list of winners")
Manchester City midfielder Rodri became the first player from the club to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday. The Spanish footballer was named the winner of the golden trophy ahead of Brazil’s Vinicius Jr. and England’s Jude Bellingham. Barcelona footballer Aitana Bonmati won her second successive women’s Ballon d’Or after playing a starring role in her club’s continental quadruple of titles and winning the Nations League with Spain.
The Ballon d’Or 2024 award ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, however, was marred with controversy after Real Madrid boycotted the event as it became clear that Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, who won the La Liga and Champions League with the Spanish club, will not be picked as the winner despite being seen as the favourite.
Real Madrid controversy
Despite Ballon d’Or organisers claiming that the winner’s identity was a secret, reports of Vinicius not winning the coveted honour swarmed social media hours before the ceremony. Real Madrid then announced that their delegation would skip the event in protest of what was seen as a snub of the Brazilian attacker.
The Ballon d’Or 2024 award winner, Rodri, had a diplomatic response to Madrid’s absence during the post-award press conference.
“They have their decision, they didn’t want to be here for their reasons,” he said. “I just focus on my club and my teammates.”
‘Very fortunate to call myself a City player’
“Winning the Ballon d’Or is the realisation of a dream and a genuine honour for me,” Rodrigo said after winning the Ballon d’Or. “I have given so much to football, and to be rewarded this evening with the most revered individual prize in the game is something incredibly special for me and my family.
“However, individual prizes are so often the result of strong team performances, and I am eternally grateful to everyone at Manchester City.
“My teammates are the best – I could not ask for more from them, both personally and professionally – and the support I receive from across every department at the football club means I am given the opportunity to focus on my football and preform at my very best.
“I am very fortunate to be able call myself a Manchester City player."
Rodri, 28, was instrumental in Manchester City holding off Arsenal to win the Premier League title last season and also inspired Spain to the Euro 2024 title win. He was also named player of the tournament at Euro 2024 as Spain defeated England in the final.
Man City coach Pep Guardiola hailed Rodri as the best “in his position” after the Spanish midfielder created history.
“He can do everything. The quality, he reads the game, his mentality, he is always ready,” Guardiola has said.
The former Atletico Madrid player’s biggest strengths are his ball-winning capabilities and exquisite distribution, but he can also score some big goals.
Rodri scored in City’s first Champions League win in 2023 and also fired in a vital equaliser for Spain in their last-16 Euro 2024 tie against Georgia.
Rodri is currently out of action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September which has dented City’s chances of winning a fifth straight Premier League title. The club’s last four domestic defeats have come in Rodri’s absence.
Bonmati equals Putellas’ feat
Meanwhile, Bonmati, 26, equalled Barcelona team-mate Alexia Putellas’ feat by becoming the second women to win the Ballon d’Or twice since the award’s inauguration in 2018.
“This cannot be achieved alone, I am very lucky to be surrounded by players who make me better every day,” Bonmati said.
Barcelona women won every trophy possible last season – the Spanish league, Cup, Super Cup and a second-consecutive Women’s Champions League.
Full list of winners at the 2024 Ballon d’Or:
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Rodri (ESP/Manchester City)
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati (ESP/Barcelona)
Johan Cruyff trophy for best men’s coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA/Real Madrid)
Johan Cruyff trophy for best women’s coach: Emma Hayes (ENG/ex-Chelsea, now USA women’s national team)
Gerd Mueller trophy for top scorer: Kylian Mbappe (FRA/ex-Paris Saint-Germain) and Harry Kane (ENG/Bayern Munich) - both on 52 goals
Raymond Kopa trophy for best young player: Lamine Yamal (ESP/Barcelona)
Lev Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (ARG/Aston Villa)
Socrates Prize for charity work: Jenifer Hermoso (ESP/Tigres Monterrey)
Best men’s team: Real Madrid
Best women’s team: Barcelona
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