At the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati shone brightly as they claimed the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or trophies, respectively. Rodri triumphed over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, a favorite who narrowly missed out on the prestigious award.
Rodri’s Road to Victory
Rodri’s pivotal contributions to Manchester City’s Premier League success and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory propelled him to the top of the men’s list. His commanding presence on the pitch allowed him to edge out Vinicius Junior in a tightly contested race, despite widespread expectations that Vinicius would take home the trophy.
Real Madrid expressed their disappointment through a notable boycott, as none of their players or staff attended the Paris event.
Aitana Bonmati’s Continued Dominance
Aitana Bonmati secured the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the second consecutive year, further solidifying her status as a key figure in women’s football. Her stellar performances with Barcelona, including their dominance in both domestic and European competitions, made her the clear frontrunner.
2024 Ballon d’Or Award Winners
The ceremony showcased a strong representation of Spanish talent among the winners:
- 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.
- Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s Award)
- Winner: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
- Summary: Bonmati won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin after an outstanding season with Barcelona, further establishing herself as a leading figure in women’s football.
- Kopa Trophy (Best U-21 Player)
- Winner: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Summary: The young Barcelona talent claimed the Kopa Trophy after a breakout season.
- Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
- Winner: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
- Summary: Martínez retained his Yashin Trophy title, affirming his position among the world’s top goalkeepers.
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorers)
- Winners: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England) and Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Summary: Both players netted 52 goals, earning them shared recognition as top scorers.
- Coach of the Year (Men’s Football)
- Winner: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid, Italy)
- Honorable Mentions: Manchester City, Barcelona
- Coach of the Year (Women’s Football)
- Winner: Emma Hayes (Chelsea, England)
- Runners-Up: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
The event highlighted the successes of Spanish players and coaches in both men’s and women’s football, showcasing standout performances across major leagues.
Reaction from the Football Community
Marked by Real Madrid’s absence, the ceremony 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 celebrated the achievements of both seasoned players and emerging stars, reflecting the intense competition and talent across leagues and nations this season.
