Rodri, the 28-year-old midfielder from Spain, made history on Monday by winning his first Ballon d'Or award, celebrating his vital contributions to Manchester City's Premier League success and Spain's victory in the European Championship. Overwhelmed with emotion, he reacted by covering his face when his name was announced by former award winner George Weah and expressed his gratitude for the recognition despite attending the event on crutches due to an ACL injury.
In the women's category, 26-year-old Aitana Bonmatí successfully defended her title after an extraordinary season with Barcelona, leading the team in winning the Spanish league, Spanish Cup, and Champions League. Bonmatí expressed her joy at being rewarded again and acknowledged the critical influence her teammates and clubs have had on her development as a player.
Among the finalists for the men's award were Vinicius Junior and his Real Madrid teammates, yet notably absent from the gala, Madrid had decided against attending despite Carlo Ancelotti's win for coach of the year. Vinicius was considered a strong contender for the honor but opted not to travel, which was coordinated by the club's management, according to a source familiar with the situation.
This marked the first time since 2003 that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo—the past winners of the award—were in the running. While Rodri's style is less flashy compared to the former superstars, he has made a significant impact on Manchester City's playing style and was recognized for his defensive capabilities and precise passing.
Bonmatí has been a prolific scorer, continuing to impress with her performance for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, where she has increased her international goal tally. The Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women, with votes coming from journalists worldwide, ensuring a diverse selection process.
The evening was fruitful for Spanish and Barcelona representatives, with young talent Lamine Yamal taking home the Kopa award for the best under-21 player, and the women's team securing the best women's team award. Real Madrid received the accolade for best men's team, and Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Müller award for their overall goal-scoring success.
Emiliano Martínez retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper, while Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes were celebrated as the best male and female coaches, respectively. Jenni Hermoso was recognized with the Socrates award for her humanitarian efforts and stance against sexism in soccer, adding a meaningful note to the celebration of sportsmanship at the event. A special recognition was also awarded to the family of the late Franz Beckenbauer, honoring his legacy in football.
6 Comments
Bella Ciao
Giving awards for best goalkeepers and coaches feels like unnecessary clutter. The Ballon d'Or should be solely focused on the best players on the field.
Coccinella
A special recognition for Franz Beckenbauer? Didn't he face serious allegations of corruption? His legacy shouldn't be celebrated.
Katchuka
Lamine Yamal winning the Kopa award is another example of age being prioritized over talent. There are more deserving young players out there.
BuggaBoom
Honoring Franz Beckenbauer's legacy despite past controversies recognizes his immense contribution to the sport while acknowledging the need for accountability and change.
Loubianka
It's unfair to compare Bonmati to the male winners. Men's football is simply a more physical and demanding sport.
Cerebro
The Ballon d'Or is becoming an award for passing stats and clean sheets, neglecting the importance of goals and creativity.