Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí were crowned the Ballon d’Or 2024 winners in Paris. Explore the complete winners list, highlights, and final rankings from the ceremony!
The 68th Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday. Manchester City’s star midfielder, Rodri, won this year’s Ballon d’Or, surpassing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and England’s young midfielder, Jude Bellingham to claim this prestigious honour.
The Spanish-born midfielder was instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League title win and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, thus becoming the first Man City player ever to achieve this feat. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona Femini defended her title as the best female player, further solidifying her status in the sport.
Let’s check out the winners of the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, and other prestigious awards, and relive some of the top highlights from last night’s event!
Ballon d’Or 2024 Winners List
- Ballon d’Or: Rodri (Manchester City)
- Ballon d’Or Féminin: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona)
- Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
- Yashin Trophy: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
- Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) & Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Socrates Award: Jennifer Hermoso
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Emma Hayes (Chelsea Women/USWNT)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Real Madrid
- Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona Femení
Top Highlights of the Ceremony
Rodri – Men’s Ballon d’Or Winner
Rodri’s victory marked a significant moment in his career, as he became the first Manchester City player to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. His emotional acceptance speech resonated with many, especially as he attended on crutches due to an ACL injury. “Incredible night for me,” he expressed, emphasizing his commitment to continual improvement in his game despite the challenges he faces.
For a detailed look at Rodri’s impressive stats that contributed to his victory, check this: Why the Man City Midfielder Rodri Won.
Aitana Bonmatí – Ballon d’Or Féminin
Aitana Bonmatí successfully defended her title as the best female player after leading FC Barcelona to a historic treble, including the Spanish league, cup, and Champions League. Her achievement highlights her consistent performance and leadership on and off the pitch.
Lamine Yamal – Kopa Trophy Winner
The Kopa Trophy was awarded to Lamine Yamal, recognizing him as the best Under-21 player. At just 17 years old, Yamal has already made a significant impact in both domestic and international competitions, showcasing his potential as a future star.
Emiliano Martínez – Yashin Trophy Winner
Emiliano Martínez retained the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, further solidifying his reputation as one of football’s elite custodians. His performances for Aston Villa and Argentina have been pivotal in securing important victories.
Honours shared between Kane and Mbappé – Gerd Müller Trophy
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé shared the Gerd Müller Trophy for being the top scorers across all competitions with 52 goals each. This joint recognition underscores their incredible scoring abilities and impact on their respective teams.
Special Awards and Tributes
The ceremony also featured special awards such as the Socrates Award presented to Jennifer Hermoso for her humanitarian efforts in combating sexism in sports. Additionally, a tribute was paid to German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, acknowledging his lasting legacy in football.
Real Madrid Boycott Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid chose to boycott the ceremony in response to their dissatisfaction with the award results, particularly regarding Vinícius Jr.’s omission from the top honour. The club strongly believes that Vinícius, who was pivotal to their success in both La Liga and the Champions League, was unjustly overlooked in favour of Rodri.
Reports suggested that the results had leaked before the event, indicating that Rodri had received more votes, which intensified their frustration. Real Madrid expressed that if Vinícius was not to be recognized, then his teammate Dani Carvajal should have been honoured instead. This boycott underscored the club’s discontent with the organizers and highlighted ongoing tensions in football’s elite circles.
Final Rankings of the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2024
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
- Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
- Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
- Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
- Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Martin Ødegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Turkey, Inter)
- Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
- Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Rúben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund) & Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)
Final Rankings of the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2024
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)
- Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)
- Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)
- Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
- Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)
- Lauren James (England, Chelsea)
- Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)
- Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern Munich)
- Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)
- Mayra Ramírez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)
- Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland, Bayern Munich)
- Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)
- Lea Schüller (Germany, Bayern Munich)
- Sjoeke Nüsken (Germany, Chelsea)
- Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)
- Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)
- Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)
- Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)
- Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony brought excitement, memorable moments, and a touch of controversy.
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