Rodri and Bonmati Shine as Ballon d’Or 2024 Winners, Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony
Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati were the stars of the night at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where they claimed the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or trophies respectively. Rodri emerged victorious over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who had been a favorite but narrowly missed out on the prestigious award.
Rodri’s Road to Victory
Rodri, whose performance was pivotal to Manchester City’s Premier League success and Spain’s Euro 2024 win, topped the men’s list. The midfielder’s commanding presence on the field saw him edge past Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid’s standout forward, in a close contest. Rodri’s victory was unexpected, given widespread predictions that Vinicius would take home the trophy.
Real Madrid’s disappointment with the result led to a noticeable boycott, with none of their players or staff attending the event in Paris.
Aitana Bonmati’s Continued Dominance
Aitana Bonmati took home the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the second consecutive year, further cementing her position as a key player in women’s football. Her achievements with Barcelona, including their continued dominance in domestic and European competitions, made her a clear frontrunner.
Ballon d’Or 2024 award winners
The complete list of winners at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, highlighting Spanish players’ strong presence:
1. Ballon d’Or (Men’s Award)
- Winner: Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Runners-Up: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil), Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Summary: Rodri’s achievements included leading Manchester City to another Premier League title and playing a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in protest after learning Vinicius would not win.
2. Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s Award)
- Winner: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
- Summary: Bonmati won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin after an outstanding season with Barcelona, further establishing herself as one of the leading players in women’s football.
3. Kopa Trophy (Best U-21 Player)
- Winner: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Summary: The young Barcelona talent took home the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player, after a breakout season.
4. Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
- Winner: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
- Summary: Martínez retained his Yashin Trophy title, solidifying his position as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.
5. Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorers)
- Winners: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England) and Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Summary: Kane and Mbappé both scored 52 goals, earning them a shared title for top scorers.
6. Coach of the Year (Men’s Football)
- Winner: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid, Italy)
- Honorable Mentions: Manchester City, Barcelona
7. Coach of the Year (Women’s Football)
- Winner: Emma Hayes (Chelsea, England)
- Runners-Up: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
The event underscored the successes of Spanish players and coaches in both men’s and women’s football, along with standout performances across other major league
Reaction from the Football Community
The ceremony, marked by Real Madrid’s absence, underscored the ongoing rivalry between Europe’s top clubs. UN representatives and fans celebrated Spain’s rise in both men’s and women’s football, with Rodri and Bonmati leading a new generation of Spanish talent on the global stage.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards highlighted the achievements of both seasoned players and emerging stars, reflecting the intense competition and talent across leagues and nations this season.