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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed the 2024 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to win the award. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati secured her second consecutive Ballon d’Or in the women’s category. Rodri edged out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, whose club chose to boycott the Paris ceremony, feeling disrespected by the outcome.
Rodri’s impressive year included a fourth consecutive Premier League title with City and a Euro 2024 win with Spain. Despite an ACL injury in September, he was honored with the Best Player award from the Euro tournament. Speaking emotionally, Rodri expressed gratitude for the support of his family, teammates, and his girlfriend, Laura.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati continued her dominant form, earning her second Ballon d’Or after leading Barcelona to another Champions League title and securing the Women’s World Cup with Spain. She was joined by clubmates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo in the top three.
In other awards, Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Coach of the Year, and former Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes was honored as Women’s Coach of the Year. Emi Martinez of Aston Villa and Argentina retained the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, while Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best male player under 21.
Real Madrid, despite winning Men’s Club of the Year, stayed away in protest, particularly disappointed that the Ballon d’Or criteria did not favor their star Vinicius Junior. The Gerd Muller Trophy for top scorers went jointly to Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, with Kane accepting the award in Paris on behalf of both.
