Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
The 28-year-old Rodri on Monday won the prestigious men's Ballon d'Or award, for the first time. He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Rodri was instrumental in Manchester City's Premier League title defense last season, playing a pivotal role in holding off Arsenal. His stellar form continued at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament after leading Spain to an emphatic victory in Germany.
Rodri put his hands over his face when his name was read out by former winner George Weah.
"Incredible night for me," said Rodri, who is out for the season after injuring his ACL last month and arrived on crutches to the ceremony.
"One of my key things is I always try to improve every game."
Vinícius Júnior was among the four men's finalists with his Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. But no one from Madrid attended the gala in central Paris, even though Carlo Ancelotti won the coach of the year award.
Hours before the ceremony in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony at Chatelet Theatre, citing what it perceived as a snub towards Vinicius.
Real Madrid's star, Vinicius Jr., broke his silence on social media after finishing second in the prestigious award voting. The Brazilian winger, who was widely regarded as the favorite following Real Madrid's triumphs in the Champions League and La Liga last season, expressed a mix of disappointment and determination.
Shortly after the Paris ceremony, he posted, "I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready." According to Reuters, his management team sees the post as a bold declaration of his ongoing fight against racism in football, suggesting that his outspoken stance may have influenced the award's outcome.
Real Madrid and French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni expressed support for Vini on social media, suggesting that the Brazilian had deserved the win: "Nothing will take away what you've achieved, my brother. We ALL know... They are not ready for what you're gonna deliver. Love."
Speaking on the matter, Vinicius's management told Reuters that they believed his advocacy against systemic issues, such as racism in Spanish football, likely played a role in the Ballon d'Or decision. Vinicius, 24, has been the target of racial abuse on multiple occasions, prompting convictions in Spain's legal system for racially motivated insults.
While Rodri is not a flamboyant player or a prolific scorer like Messi and Ronaldo, he had a huge influence on City's team with his ability to protect the defense and distribute passes cleanly from the back.
"I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best," Rodri said.
City looked unbeatable at times with him in the side, while his excellent technical ability enabled him to slot smoothly into the quick-passing style made so effective by Spain at Euro 2024.
Aitana Bonmatí won the women's Ballon d'Or award for the world's best soccer player. She scored 19 goals for the second straight season for Barcelona and this year has netted five in five games for Spain, taking her international tally to 26.
Lamine Yamal's first major individual trophy and other awards
On a good night for Spain and Barca players, teen prodigy Lamine Yamal — the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship — won the Kopa award for best Under-21 player and Barca won the best women's team award.
Real Madrid was declared the best men’s football club.
Former PSG forward Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for most club and country goals last season with 52. Mbappé joined Madrid during the off-season.
Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez claimed the Lev Yashin Trophy for the second year in a row, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the year during the Ballon d'Or ceremony, after leading Argentina to Copa America victory.
Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti and United States' Olympic-winning coach Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff award for best men's and women's coach.
Spain forward Jenni Hermoso, who has fought sexism in Spanish soccer after she was kissed on the lips at last year's Women's World Cup final by former federation president Luis Rubiales, collected the Socrates award for humanitarian work.
Football legend Franz Beckenbauer received a posthumous lifetime achievement award for his work both as a footballer and manager.
Beckenbauer, who passed away in January 2024, won everything possible with Bayern Munich and Germany.
The Ballon d'Or was created by France Football magazine and has been awarded since 1956 for the men, and since 2018 for the women. It is voted for by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.
Each journalist, one per country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points attributed to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points. Unlike FIFA's awards for the best players each year, fans aren't part of the voting system.
