Rodri Wins Ballon d'Or Amid Real Madrid Boycott Over Vinicius Snub

Posted : 29 October 2024

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was awarded the 2024 Ballon d'Or on Monday after a successful season that saw him win his fourth consecutive Premier League title and lead Spain to a Euro 2024 victory. The award ceremony, held at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, took place without the presence of Real Madrid’s delegation, as the Spanish club decided to boycott the event. This unexpected decision came as a result of Real Madrid's discontent over Vinicius Junior's omission from the top award, despite his impressive performances that earned Madrid a La Liga and Champions League double last season.

The choice of Rodri as the Ballon d'Or winner surprised many, as Vinicius Junior was widely regarded as the favorite. Hours before the ceremony, Real Madrid publicly stated its dissatisfaction, emphasizing that if Vinicius was not deemed worthy of the award, the recognition should have gone to his teammate Dani Carvajal.

Carvajal, along with Vinicius, was a key contributor to Madrid’s Champions League triumph, including a memorable performance in their final victory against Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid expressed its belief that the award criteria did not appropriately recognize their players’ achievements, leading to their decision to abstain from the event.

Following his win, Rodri addressed the controversy diplomatically, commenting on Real Madrid's absence by acknowledging their choice to skip the ceremony. In his acceptance speech, he remained focused on his accomplishments with Manchester City and Spain, avoiding further comments on Real Madrid’s stance. The Ballon d'Or’s organizers, the Amaury Group, assured that the selection process remained confidential and that no player or club was informed of the winner prior to the announcement.

Earlier in the evening, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain received her second consecutive Ballon d'Or in the women's category, a remarkable achievement after leading her club to multiple titles, including a second-successive Women’s Champions League. Bonmati’s dominance on the field was recognized as she joined teammate Alexia Putellas in becoming one of only two women to win the award twice. The evening celebrated a range of players and coaches from around the world, recognizing excellence in multiple categories.

Among the winners were notable names such as Carlo Ancelotti, who took home the Johan Cruyff Trophy for best men's coach, and Emma Hayes, recognized as the top women’s coach. Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich's Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller Trophy for top scorers, while Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal won the Raymond Kopa Trophy for best young player. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was named best goalkeeper, while Tigres Monterrey’s Jenifer Hermoso received the Socrates Prize for charity work.

The ceremony concluded with Real Madrid being recognized as the men’s team of the year, despite the absence of club representatives. Barcelona received the award for the best women’s team, capping off a year of achievements across men’s and women’s football. Rodri’s win added to Manchester City's growing legacy, while Bonmati’s second Ballon d'Or solidified her place among the elite in women's football.

Rodri Wins Ballon d'Or Amid Real Madrid Boycott Over Vinicius Snub

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