The annual Ballon d’Or football gala has named the world’s best male and female players in Paris.
The midfield greatness of Manchester City and the Spanish national team Rodri has won the Ballon d’Or trophy for men.
The contribution of defensive midfielder Rodri, 28, has been significant in both Manchester City’s Premier League win and Spain’s European Championship. Rodri was awarded as the best player of the EC football tournament.
Rodri injured his knee on September 22 and is sidelined for the rest of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament operation. Last season he was on the sidelines for just five games, with City losing four of them.
Real Madrid’s power forward, predicted to be the winner in advance Vinicius Junior left behind Rodri. The Brazilian scored 24 goals in the 2023–24 season and helped Real e.g. Champion of the Champions League and La Liga.
On the women’s side, the Spanish, from Barcelona Fence Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or for the second time in a row.
Bonmati is the second female soccer player to win the Ballon d’Or twice in a row. His earthlings Alexia Putellas won the best female player award in 2021–22.
The Golden Ball is considered to be the most significant individual award given to football players. On the men’s side, the Golden Ball has been awarded since 1956, and for women players for the first time since 2018.
For the first time in 21 years Lionel Messi37, or Cristiano Ronaldo39, were not on the candidate list. Messi, who plays for Inter Miami in the MLS league, has been selected as the world’s best male player a total of eight times in his career, Ronaldo, who represents Al-Nassr in the Saudi Arabian football league, five times.
The Ballon d’Or selection is made by a hundred football journalists from different countries, who evaluate the players in order of superiority.
Several other awards were also presented at Monday evening’s gala.
Representing Barcelona Lamine Yamal17, was named the best under-21 player. He is the first player under the age of 18 to receive the young player trophy.
The best goalkeeper award went to the top goalkeeper of Argentina and Aston Villa for the second time in a row Emiliano Martinez.
Bayern Munich Harry Kane and representing Real Madrid this season Kylian Mbappé was awarded the best goalscorer award named after Gerd Müller. Both forwards finished with 52 goals in the 2023–24 season.