In a historic night for Spanish football, midfielder Rodri of Manchester City clinched the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world. He edged out Brazil’s Vinicius Jr and England’s Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona also made headlines by winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year, further cementing her status as one of the top talents in women's football.
Rodri, a first-time winner, played a crucial role in Manchester City’s unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season. Additionally, he was named the best player at this year's European Championship, where Spain secured their fourth title, extending their record in the tournament.
The 28-year-old Madrid native is the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and only the third Spaniard to receive the honor after Alfredo Di Stefano and Luis Suarez. Rodri ended a 60-year drought of Spanish players winning the award, highlighting his unique skill set and significant contributions to both his club and national team.
On stage, Rodri dedicated his win to Spanish football legends like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Iker Casillas, and Sergio Busquets, emphasizing the collective effort behind his success. He expressed gratitude to fans and highlighted the importance of midfielders in the game.
In addition to Rodri’s achievement, national teammate Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy as the best Under-21 player, thanks to his outstanding performance in Spain’s flawless Euro 2024 campaign. Jennifer Hermoso was honored with the Socrates Award for her advocacy for women's rights in football and her fight against sexism in sports.
The ceremony saw Real Madrid boycotting the event in response to Vinicius not winning the men's award. Despite the absence, Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti was named men's coach of the year, while Barcelona took home the trophy for women's best club after both teams achieved the European and Spanish league double last season.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
