At the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí were crowned the world’s best footballers. However, the night was marked by controversy as Real Madrid boycotted the event. The club protested the decision to award the men’s prize to Rodri instead of their star forward, Vinícius Júnior, creating a tense atmosphere at the prestigious awards gala.
Rodri Claims Top Prize Despite Injury
Rodri’s victory was a testament to his incredible season with Manchester City, where he was central to their Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup triumphs. The Spanish midfielder became the first non-forward to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Luka Modric in 2018, highlighting his unique impact on the game.
Despite being on crutches due to a long-term ACL injury, the 28-year-old accepted the award with immense pride. “Today is a very special day, not just for me but for my family and my country,” Rodri stated on stage. His win was recognized as a deserved honor for a player who redefined the midfield position, but the celebration was dampened by the absence of one of football’s biggest clubs.
Real Madrid’s Protest Shakes the Ceremony
The evening took a dramatic turn when Real Madrid announced their boycott just hours before the event. The club was unhappy that Vinícius Júnior, who finished second, was overlooked for the top prize. In a strong statement, they claimed the award criteria lacked respect for their players.
Real Madrid argued that if Vinícius was not the winner, then his teammate Dani Carvajal should have been considered. Their statement read, “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinícius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to [Dani] Carvajal as the winner.” The club’s delegation, including coach Carlo Ancelotti, did not attend, leaving their awards for Men’s Club of the Year and Best Manager unclaimed in a powerful display of protest.
Barcelona’s Women Sweep the Board
While the men’s award was surrounded by controversy, the women’s category was a story of pure dominance by FC Barcelona. Aitana Bonmatí secured her second consecutive Ballon d’Or, capping a phenomenal year where she led her club to a Liga F and Champions League double and Spain to a Nations League title.
The podium was an all-Barcelona affair, underscoring the team’s incredible talent and success.
| Award Position | Player Name | Club |
| Winner | Aitana Bonmatí | FC Barcelona |
| Second Place | Caroline Graham Hansen | FC Barcelona |
| Third Place | Salma Paralluelo | FC Barcelona |
The club was also named Women’s Club of the Year, a fitting tribute to their status as the powerhouse of women’s football. However, the ceremony’s timing during an international window meant many players and coaches, including winner Emma Hayes, could not attend in person.
Other Winners on a Star-Studded Night
The ceremony also recognized other outstanding talents from across the world of football, even though some key figures were absent. Kylian Mbappé, who shared the top goalscorer award, was another notable no-show, adding to the list of winners not present.
The night still celebrated a diverse group of athletes who made their mark on the season.
- Kopa Trophy (Best U21 Player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- Lev Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
- Gerd Müller Award (Top Goalscorer): Harry Kane & Kylian Mbappé
- Socrates Award (Humanitarian Work): Jenni Hermoso
Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal made history as the youngest ever winner of the Kopa Trophy. These awards provided moments of unity, celebrating individual brilliance from different leagues and nations on a night filled with high drama.
