Rodri Wins 2024 Ballon d’Or in Paris
Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d’Or, marking a significant achievement for Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder. The prestigious award, given annually to the best football players, was presented on Monday. The 68th edition of the awards took place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
The first words of our 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/HbcPorxTlp
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Rodri’s Remarkable Year
Rodri overcame an anterior cruciate ligament injury since September to deliver outstanding performances. He led the Sky Blues to 64 victories last season. However, they fell short in the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 25, losing 1-2. Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d’Or, underscoring his influence on the field.
Top Contenders for the Ballon d’Or
Rodri outperformed Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who ranked second and third, respectively. Their performances were commendable, but Rodri’s impact was unmatched.
Women’s Ballon d’Or Highlights
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati claimed the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, marking her second consecutive win. Her teammates, Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, followed closely in the rankings.
Goalkeeping Excellence
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez made history by winning the Yachine Award for the best goalkeeper of the year. He became the first goalkeeper to win back-to-back awards.
Awards for Social Impact and Coaching
Spanish international Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her contributions to social and charitable projects. Real Madrid’s Italian coach, Carlo Ancelotti, earned the Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best coach of the year. England’s Emma Hayes, coach of the Chelsea women’s team and the US women’s team, was named the best coach of a women’s team for 2024.
Top Scorers and Young Talent
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane shared the Gerd Muller trophy, each scoring 52 goals. Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal, earned the Kopa Trophy, recognizing him as the best under-21 player of the year.
Club Achievements
Real Madrid, despite not sending a representative to the ceremony, claimed the title of the 2024 best men’s football club. They triumphed in the Champions League, Spanish La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, and European Super Cup. Meanwhile, Barcelona, the Women’s Champions League winner, earned the title of the 2024 best women’s football club.
Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d’Or, highlighting a year of exceptional football achievements and setting a high bar for future contenders.