Manchester City and Spain star, Rodri has emerged as the men’s Ballon d’Or winner, beating Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal to the title.
The Real Madrid contigent, who had sensed that Vinicius was not going to win the award, boycotted the ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
Rodri helped Manchester City retain the Premier League last season, won the Club World Cup, and the Carabao Cup; and also helped Spain win the Euro 2024.
“A very special day, for me, my family and my country,” he says.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman who made the 30-man shortlist as the only African player for the men’s Ballon d’Or, ranked 14th overall best in the world.
The men’s award is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s rankings.
Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati emerged as the winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin after helping Barcelona retain both the La Liga F and Champions League titles. She is winning it for the second consecutive year.
She follows club and international team mate Alexia Putellas in winning back to back titles.
Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen finished second, with Salma Paralluelo third behind team mate Bonmati.
The women’s award winner is usually chosen by a jury of women’s journalists representing the top 50 countries in the Fifa women’s rankings.
Read Also: Ballon d’Or nomination just the beginning —Lookman
Kane and Mbappe win the Gerd Muller Trophy
Harry Kane scored 52 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season, making him the highest scoring player in 2023-24. Kylian Mbappe also scored 52 goals in all competitions.
Yamal wins Kopa Trophy
Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for best young player. He was key in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, including a wonder goal against France in the semi-final. Yamal also ranked 8th in Ballon d’Or rankings.
Barcelona Ladies win Women’s Club of the Year
Barcelona retain the women’s club of the year title, having won the inaugural award in 2023. They retained both the La Liga F and Women’s Champions League titles last season.
Real Madrid win Men’s Club of the Year
Real Madrid are named men’s club of the year after winning La Liga and the Champions League last season. Unfortunately no one from the club was in Paris to accept the trophy.
Martinez wins Yashin Trophy
Aston Villa and Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez won the best men’s goalkeeper award for the second time in a row, beating Gigi Donnarumma, Mike Maignan, Andriy Lunin, and Unai Simon to the award.
Hermoso wins Socrates Award
The Socrates Award, given to a footballer who has done exemplary humanitarian work, was awarded to Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso. The World Cup winner has been an outspoken advocate for women’s football and against sexual harassment in the game.
Hayes wins Women’s Coach of the Year
Emma Hayes wins it after Chelsea defended the WSL title. Hayes then became United States manager and led them to Olympic gold.
Ancelotti wins Men’s Coach of the Year
Carlo Ancelotti is named men’s coach of the year, after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League title.
Join the conversation
Opinions
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
Donate Now
