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Manchester City’s Rodri beats Real Madrid superstars to win 2024 Ballon d’Or


Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League

Rodri won yet another Premier League title with Manchester City this year (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has won the 2024 Ballon d’Or after an amazing year which saw him win the Premier League and European Championship, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

It is rare that a holding midfielder claims the big individual prize, but the 28-year-old has proved so influential for club and country that he has earned himself the award.

Real Madrid superstars Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham finished second and third respectively, with the Spanish giants not happy about it.

After a reported leak of the results before they were announced Real Madrid were aware that none of their players were going to win the Ballon d’Or so decided to snub Monday’s ceremony in Paris.

Rodri picked up the award in the absence of any of the Real Madrid stars, having arrived at the prestigious ceremony on crutches.

The Spaniard is currently out of action with an ACL injury picked up against Arsenal in September and is expected to miss the rest of the season as a result.

Rodri becomes the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 and the first Spanish male winner since Luis Suarez in 1960.

Rodri helped Spain to Euro 2024 glory in July (Picture: Getty Images)

26-year-old Bonmati wins the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the second year on the spin after playing a huge role in Barcelona winning the Champions League and La Liga F.

Caroline Graham Hansen came second and Salma Paralluelo took third place.

‘I’m so grateful to be here to receive this award for the second time,’ said Bonmati.

‘I always say this is not something that you can do alone, I’m so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful players who help me to keep growing into a better player. So thank you to my teammates because without them I wouldn’t be here, I would also like to thank my club and Joan Laporta.’

Aitana Bonmati has won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the second straight year (Picture: Getty Images)

2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or standings

Vinicius Jr enjoyed Champions League glory with Real Madrid this year (Picture: Getty Images)

Jude Bellingham got his hands on the Champions League trophy for the first time this year (Picture: Getty Images)

Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best Under-21 player in world football.

Arda Guler was second in the Kopa Trophy rankings, followed by Kobbie Mainoo, Savinho and Pau Cubarsi.

Jude Bellingham won the award last year, but Barcelona have dominated it in recent years, with Pedri the winner in 2021 and Gavi in ’22.

There was another win for Barcelona as they claimed Women’s Club of the Year, while it was Real Madrid who landed Men’s Club of the Year after their Champions League and La Liga double last season.

The Gerd Muller Trophy is handed out to the highest scoring player over the previous season and this was shared …read more

Source:: Metro

      

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