It was Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri who came out as this year’s Ballon d'Or award winner for the best player in the world, with Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, beaten to the prestigious prize.
The Madrid native becomes the first defensive midfielder to come out on top since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and the third Spaniard to claim the prize after Alfredo Di Stefano in 1957 and 1959, and Luis Suarez in 1960. While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard had won since Barcelona great Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain's "golden generation" that won the 2010 World Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Euros.
But Rodri finally ended that run with a unique skillset that has made his club the dominant force in England and helped Spain rule Europe again. "Today is not a victory for me, Rodri said – it’s is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it,” he said.
"I'm a regular guy with values, who studies, who tries to do things right and doesn't try to follow the stereotypes and even, so I have been able to get to the top, and it is thanks to all of you," he went on.
It was the first time since 2003 in which neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo made the final 30-man list of nominees.
Rodri has only lost a match once in the past 18 months -- City's surprise FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United last season. Earlier, his national teammate Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player by helping Spain to a perfect Euro 2024 campaign, winning all seven games en route to lifting the trophy.
Aitana Bonmati won the women's Ballon d'Or for the second consecutive year while compatriot Jennifer Hermoso was awarded the Socrates Award for her role in the fight for women's rights in football and her courageous stance against sexism in sport. Real Madrid had decided to boycott the ceremony in anticipation of Vinicius not winning the men's award.
No-one from the club was present when they won the men’s club of the year award, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year while Barcelona grabbed the trophy for women’s best club after both teams won the European and Spanish league double last season. Other winners saw the Yashin Trophy going to the Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Real’s Kylian Mbappe getting the Gerd Muller Trophy.
Other winners saw Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal get the vote for the Kopa Trophy, Jennifer Hermoso collect the Socrates Award, Real’s Carlo Ancelotti voted Men's coach of the year, former Chelsea coach, Emma Hayes getting the Women's coach of the year award, whilst Real Madrid coming up trumps again with the Men's club of the year nod and Barcelona getting the Women's club of the year nod.
