In a night that celebrated two midfielders’ remarkable years, Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí won the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards in Paris. However, the evening was clouded by Real Madrid’s noticeable absence, as the Spanish club’s delegation canceled its attendance upon learning Vinícius Júnior would not receive the top men’s prize. The boycott highlighted the ongoing tensions between Real Madrid and football’s elite honors.
Rodri’s Year of Glory and Grit
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win is the latest in an outstanding season for the Manchester City midfielder. Though sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Rodri’s accomplishments in 2024 were nothing short of historic. Playing a central role, he led City to Premier League and Champions League triumphs, as well as a Club World Cup victory, showcasing his dominance in midfield. Rodri’s unique contribution—he is the first non-forward to win the award since Luka Modrić in 2018—was hailed by the global football community as a long-awaited shift from goalscoring to playmaking prowess.
Rodri’s acceptance speech was brief yet poignant. Supported by crutches, he expressed gratitude, calling it “an incredible night, not just for me but for my family and my country.” He received the award from George Weah, former Ballon d’Or winner and Liberian president, adding a sense of continuity to the event, celebrating the world’s top players who have defined their generations.
Real Madrid Boycotts Over Vinícius Júnior Snub
The drama surrounding Real Madrid’s absence became a talking point well before the ceremony began. Madrid, expecting that Vinícius Júnior would claim the men’s Ballon d’Or, canceled its plans upon learning that the Brazilian forward was not the winner. A statement released by the club reflected its frustration, stating, “If the criteria don’t give it to Vinícius, then they should point to Dani Carvajal.” This response underscores the tension surrounding award decisions, especially as Vinícius had been widely favored to clinch the top prize.
Madrid’s discontent extended beyond the Ballon d’Or itself. With Vinícius’s snub, Madrid’s delegation also opted out of attending to receive other awards the club won, including the men’s club of the year. Real Madrid’s frustration reflects broader dissatisfaction within the club about the perceived underappreciation of their achievements by UEFA and Ballon d’Or voters.
Bonmatí’s Second Ballon d’Or: Leading Barça and Spain to New Heights
Aitana Bonmatí also had a spectacular season, earning her second consecutive Ballon d’Or award for women, placing her among the greats in women’s football. The Barcelona midfielder’s talent was on full display as she helped her club secure both the Liga F and Champions League titles. Her contribution to Spain’s Nations League success added yet another achievement to her decorated year, solidifying her place as a vital player for both club and country.
Bonmatí celebrated her win with a modest outlook, highlighting her team’s support and success as the real factors behind her individual achievement. “The winning mentality we share as a team and national squad drives me. It’s what leads to these kinds of successes,” she said, acknowledging the role of collective effort in achieving her individual goals. Joining Bonmatí on the podium were her Barcelona teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, ensuring an all-Barça sweep for the top three spots, reflecting the club’s current dominance in women’s football.
The Kopa Trophy and Other Award Highlights
The night also recognized emerging talent and off-field contributions. Lamine Yamal, Rodri’s national teammate, was awarded the Kopa Trophy as the best young player under 21, adding to Spain’s celebrations. Yamal’s win at just 17 years old made him the youngest player ever to take home the accolade, setting a promising tone for the future of Spanish football.
Other notable awards went to Aston Villa and Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, who was honored with the Lev Yashin trophy as the top goalkeeper of the year. Meanwhile, the Socrates Award, which acknowledges charitable work, went to Jenni Hermoso of Spain, recognizing her dedication to humanitarian causes. Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s head coach, received the Johan Cruyff award for best manager, though he too was notably absent to collect it.
- Other Award Winners:
- The Gerd Müller Award for top men’s goalscorer was shared by Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé.
- Barcelona received the women’s club of the year, accepted by club president Joan Laporta and a few players.
Real Madrid’s absence in collecting their club honors further demonstrated the team’s dissatisfaction with Ballon d’Or’s decision-making process.
Event’s Unique Timing and International Implications
The ceremony took place during the women’s international window, limiting attendance by shortlisted players and coaches. Emma Hayes, named women’s coach of the year, accepted her award remotely as her USA national team prepared to face Argentina. This highlights a persistent scheduling conflict between international women’s fixtures and Ballon d’Or celebrations, which has drawn criticism from both players and fans. The conflict reflects an ongoing struggle in balancing women’s international and club honors, leading to reduced participation from shortlisted female stars.
Held in Paris, the event still attracted significant international attention, but Real Madrid’s absence cast a shadow over proceedings. The reaction has already sparked discussions on social media and sports talk shows, adding a layer of intrigue and controversy to an already celebrated night in football.
