Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí captured the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards for men and women, respectively, on Monday, marking their status as the best soccer players in the world. Their achievement comes amid Real Madrid’s notable absence from the ceremony in Paris, which many interpreted as a protest against the results.
At 28 years old, Rodri celebrated his first Ballon d’Or win after playing a crucial role in Manchester City’s Premier League victory and Spain’s triumph at the European Championship.
He dethroned Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner, and surpassed Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who finished second. This outcome sparked disappointment among Madrid players, who chose to skip the event and expressed their sentiments on social media.
Rodri’s emotional reaction was evident when former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah announced his name, prompting him to cover his face in disbelief.
“This is an incredible night for me,” Rodri shared, despite attending the ceremony on crutches due to an ACL injury that has sidelined him for the season. “I always aim to improve with every game.”
Rodri, recognized for his work ethic and team-first mentality, humbly redirected the accolades towards his teammates.
“I want to thank everyone who acknowledges my contributions to the game,” he stated. “As a child, I never imagined winning the Ballon d’Or, but I’ve been performing at the highest level in recent years.”
Aitana Bonmatí, aged 26, retained her Ballon d’Or title after leading Barcelona to victory in the Spanish league, the Spanish cup, and the Champions League. She joined teammate Alexia Putellas in achieving multiple titles since the women’s award was established in 2018, finishing ahead of fellow Barcelona players Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo.
“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” Bonmatí expressed, accepting her award from Oscar winner Natalie Portman. “I owe my gratitude to my teammates and clubs that help me grow as a player each year.”
Despite Jude Bellingham finishing third and Dani Carvajal fourth in the voting, Real Madrid’s absence from the ceremony was evident, even as Carlo Ancelotti won the coach of the year award.
Ancelotti and Vinícius took to social media to voice their discontent, with Vinícius stating, “I’ll do it 10x if needed. They are not ready.” Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga criticized the voting process as “football politics.”
Camavinga added, “You are the best player in the world, and no award can change that,” alongside a photo celebrating with Vinícius. Former Madrid star Karim Benzema also supported Vinícius, calling him “Trop Fort” (“Too Strong”) on Instagram.
For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo were nominated for the award, a significant shift in the soccer landscape.
Rodri’s influence on Manchester City has been profound, showcasing his defensive skills and precise passing, which have been vital to the team’s success.
“I strive to be a leader and learn from the best,” Rodri noted.
City has often appeared invincible with him in the lineup, and his technical prowess allows him to fit seamlessly into Spain’s effective quick-passing style, especially evident during Euro 2024. He is the first Manchester City player to receive this honor.
“Rodri is a player without ego, and his sustained performance level has been remarkable,” said Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s director of football. “His consistency stems from hard work and commitment.”
Bonmatí also excelled, scoring 19 goals for Barcelona for the second consecutive season and netting five in five matches for Spain, bringing her international total to 26.
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football magazine, has been awarded since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women. Voting involves journalists from the top 100 countries in FIFA rankings, with each journalist ranking ten players.
In a successful evening for Spanish and Barcelona players, young star Lamine Yamal, the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship, won the Kopa award for the best Under-21 player, while Barcelona was named the best women’s team.
Real Madrid, despite their absence, received the award for the best men’s team.
Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for the most goals in club and country last season, each scoring 52 times. Mbappé recently joined Real Madrid.
Emiliano Martínez, known for his penalty-saving skills, retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper.
Ancelotti and Emma Hayes, who led her team to Olympic victory, won the Johan Cruyff award for best coaches.
Jenni Hermoso, a Spanish forward who has been an advocate against sexism in soccer, received the Socrates award for her humanitarian efforts.
A special award was presented by France Football to the family of the late German legend Franz Beckenbauer.
