Mon Oct 28 19:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Rodri Wins 2024 Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony

**Paris, France -** Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, marking the first time a City player has claimed the coveted award. The Spaniard’s victory comes after a stellar year, including a Champions League triumph with City and a Euro 2024 title with Spain, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

Meanwhile, Barcelona Femeni’s Aitana Bonmati secured her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin award, recognizing her impressive performances in leading the team to four major titles last season.

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Emma Hayes, coach of the United States Women’s National Team and former Chelsea manager, took home the Women’s Coach of the Year award.

The ceremony was marred by a boycott from Real Madrid, who expressed their disappointment at their player, Vinicius Junior, being overlooked for the Ballon d’Or. The club also claimed that Real Madrid’s dominance last season, winning the La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup, was not adequately acknowledged.

Other notable awards included the Gerd Muller Trophy for highest goalscorer, awarded to Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé for scoring 52 goals each, and the Socrates Award for humanitarian work, given to Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris, saw a notable absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had previously dominated the awards for two decades.

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