Rodri, a player for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, has been awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or, succeeding Lionel Messi, who won the accolade in 2023. The award was presented by George Weah, the only African player to have previously won it in 1995. This marks the first time since 1960 that a Spanish player has won the prestigious award, with Luis Suárez being the last to do so during his time at Barcelona. Among the other nominees were Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr., all from Real Madrid.
In an emotional speech, Rodri expressed gratitude to many, starting with France Football and UEFA for the award, as well as to those who voted for him. He emphasized the support of his family and girlfriend, Laura, acknowledging how crucial they were in his journey. He reflected on his early struggles, sharing an anecdote about a time at 17 when he considered giving up. His father encouraged him to persevere, which ultimately shifted his mindset towards success.
In the female category, Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona won the Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year. The award was presented by actress Natalie Portman, a football fan. Bonmatí expressed her gratitude for being able to play alongside exceptional athletes and highlighted her commitment to achieving great titles with her team.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach, received the Men’s Coach of the Year award but was absent from the ceremony due to the club’s decision not to send anyone from their delegation. Emma Hayes garnered the award for the best coach in women’s football, recognized for her work with both Chelsea and the England national team.
Argentine forward Lautaro Martínez was ranked as the seventh best player, with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland following in sixth and fifth positions, respectively. Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her humanitarian work related to the “Se acabó” campaign, stemming from the controversial incident involving Luis Rubiales. Emiliano Martínez was honored with the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, sharing his appreciation for his teammates and expressing the pride of achieving such recognition.
Harry Kane won the Gerd Müller Trophy for being the top scorer of the 2023-2024 season, netting 52 goals alongside Mbappé but not in attendance. Real Madrid secured the award for the best men’s club of the year, though no one was present to accept it.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert as the hosts. The anticipation surrounded the nominees, with particular attention on Rodri, positioned as a front-runner for the award following his impressive season. Notably absent from this year’s nominations were the legendary players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, marking a significant shift in the award’s narrative over the past two decades.