Mon Oct 28 20:41:10 UTC 2024: ## Rodri Wins 2024 Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony

**Paris, France -** Rodri of Manchester City has been crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner for best men’s player, becoming the first player from the club to achieve this honor. The Spaniard’s success comes after a stellar season that saw him win the Euro 2024 tournament with Spain, be named Player of the Tournament, and claim the Premier League title with Manchester City for a record fourth consecutive time.

Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona Femeni won the coveted Ballon d’Or Feminin for best female player for the second year running. The Spaniard guided her team to victory in four major competitions, including the Liga F and Women’s Champions League.

Notable absences marked the ceremony, with Real Madrid choosing to boycott the event in protest of their striker Vinicius Junior being snubbed for the best men’s player award. The club, which won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup last season, cited their disappointment with the decision.

Other highlights from the ceremony include:

* **Carlo Ancelotti** (Real Madrid) and **Emma Hayes** (Chelsea/US Women’s National Team) won the Johan Cruyff Award for best men’s and women’s coach of the year, respectively.
* **Harry Kane** (Bayern Munich) and **Kylian Mbappe** (Real Madrid) shared the Gerd Muller Trophy for scoring 52 goals each in the 2023-24 season.
* **Jennifer Hermoso** won the Socrates Award for her work in promoting women’s football and fighting against sexual harassment.
* **Emiliano Martinez** (Aston Villa) won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper for the second time.
* **Lamine Yamal** (Barcelona) was awarded the Raymond Kopa Trophy for the best young player (U-21).

The prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony, hosted at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris, saw the absence of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in 20 years. The event has been a significant highlight in the football calendar since its inception in 1956, recognizing the world’s best players through a voting system involving journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.

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