Midfielder Rodri is the Ballon d’Or 2024 winner!
The prestigious title of the best footballer in the world will be awarded to the Spaniard by the French sports magazine “France Football”, which organized the gala for the first time together with the European Football Union UEFA.
Rodri pulled the strings for Manchester City and the Spanish national team last year, he shut down the center and was an essential part of his teams. At EURO 2024, which he won with Spain, he was named the tournament’s best player.
After his serious cruciate ligament injury in September, he was unable to attend the gala at the Théâtre du Châtelet, hosted by journalist Sandy Heribert and ex-Chelsea kicker Didier Drogba, with crutches – Drogba helped him go on stage.
“Today is a special day, not only for me – but also for my family and my country,” Rodri said after presenting the trophy to 1995 winner George Weah. Congratulations also to his partner Laura: Rodri accepted the award on the anniversary.
“I’m a normal boy who tries to enjoy the sport and his job. I try to be a good person, a good teammate, a leader. A normal boy who does his best,” said Rodri.
The election was caused by a boycott by Real Madrid
The attack was Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid is the favorite with the award. Because he was not awarded the Ballon d’Orga, the “Royal” was guilty in advance.
The 50-member delegation from Madrid canceled their trip at short notice – which is why no club representative was able to accept the title of best men’s team.
“It is clear that the Ballon d’Or does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid will not go anywhere that does not respect it,” said a statement from the club, obtained by the AFP news agency, regarding the -respect. Vini Jr. award, which came in second place.
His Real team Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal took third and fourth place.
Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lautaro Martínez, Lamine Yamal, Toni Kroos and Harry Kane also joined the men’s top ten in descending order.
Award shares Kane and Mbappé
With Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, the award, the Gerd Müller Trophy, for the best goalscorer was presented to two players, both of whom scored 52 goals in the relevant period for the election.
Barca kicker Lamine Yamal (17) was awarded the Kopa Trophy as the best young player, not only becoming the youngest European Championship finalist this year – but also the youngest ever European Championship winner.
Argentine national goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) defended his title as the best goalkeeper and was awarded the Yashin Trophy again.
The Johan Cruyff Cup for the best coach is awarded to Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid).
Defending women’s champion
As happened the previous year, the Ballon d’Or féminin goes to Aitana Bonmatí from FC Barcelona.
The midfielder has already been named Laureus World Athlete of the Year in 2024, won the treble with FC Barcelona in 2024 and the World Cup in 2023, where she was named the best player of the championship. Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo complete the all-Barca podium among women.
It’s no surprise that FC Barcelona’s best women’s team, , won the Women’s Champions League. The best coach is Emma Hayes, who coaches Chelsea FC and USA women.
The Person of the Year award went to Jennifer Hermoso, who involuntarily made headlines when former Spanish association president Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips after winning the World Cup title in 2023. Hermoso received the award for her work against sexual harassment and equal treatment of women in football.
Here are all the winners of the Ballon d’Or 2024:
- Ballon d’Or: Rodri (28/City of Manchester/Spain)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí (26/FC Barcelona/Spain)
- Müller Trophy (Best Scorer): Harry Kane (31/FC Bayern Munich/England) & Kylian Mbappé (25/Real Madrid/France)
- Kopa Trophy (Best Youth Player under 21): Lamine Yamal (17/FC Barcelona/Spain)
- Yachine Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Emiliano Martínez (32/Aston Villa/Argentina)
- Men’s Club: Real Madrid
- Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Men’s Football Coach of the Year): Carlo Ancelotti (65/Real Madrid)
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach of the Year in Women’s Football): Emma Hayes (48/FC Chelsea & USA)
- Socrates Trophy (Personality of the Year): Jennifer Hermoso (34/FC Barcelona/Spain)
This is how the election works
The award winners were chosen by an international jury of 100 journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA ranking.
The focus is on the individual achievements of the players, as well as the titles won and the level playing field.
When voting for the world footballer, the members of the jury choose their top ten from a list of 30 stars in descending order and award points (15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Whoever gets the most points wins.
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