Spanish midfielder Rodri, from <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/premier-league-manchester-citys-turnover-for-the-first-time-higher-than-manchester-uniteds/" title="Premier League – Manchester City's turnover for the first time higher than Manchester United's”>Manchester City, won the Ballon d’Or, an award given to the best player of 2024.
The award from French newspaper France Football was given to the player who won this year’s Premier League, the Club World Cup, in which he was considered the best in the competition, the European Super Cup and Euro-2024, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris , in France
Rodri thus succeeds Lionel Messi, and is the first Spaniard to win the award since Luís Suárez, in 1960, and the 46th player to win the award.
This is the first edition of the Ballon d’Or, in partnership between UEFA and France Football magazine, organizer of the event.
Contrary to what was certain until this morning, Brazilian Vini, Jr. came second and did not attend the ceremony, as did none of the winners from Real Madrid and leaders from the merengue club itself, in a boycott of the event.
The club said it “doesn’t do anything where Real Madrid is not respected.
Third place was Bellingham, also from the Merengue club and who was also not at the ceremony.
After receiving the award, Rodri said it was a victory for football in the country and highlighted that the award is a way of recognizing the importance of other positions on the field.
“Carvajal, who suffered the same injury as me, deserved to be here. Lamine Yamal, in the future will win. You have the future ahead of you. It’s not just a victory for me, but for Spanish football. A reward for players who have never won. Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets. A victory for Spanish football”, said Rodri, who highlighted the competitors, “new players, who have a huge future ahead of them.
“They are not prepared”, commented Vini Jr, after learning that Real Madrid and him would have to suspend the prepared party, as the winner would be someone else.
A note for fellow Spaniard Lamine Yamal, from Barcelona, voted the best young player.
Two winners are on the list:
Best player in the world: Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
Best player in the world: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain)
Best young player in the world: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
Best goalkeeper in the world: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
Best football coach (male): Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Best football coach (female): Emma Hayes (Chelsea/USA)
Best football team in the world (men): Real Madrid
Best football team in the world (women): Barcelona
Socrates Award: Jenni Hermoso (Tigres/Spain)
Gerd Müller Award: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England) and Kylian Mbappé (PSG-Real Madrid/France)
