Reuters
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 22:46
Spanish footballer Rodri was voted the best footballer in the world during the Ballon d’Or gala in Paris. The women’s prize went to Aitana Bonmatí.
The 28-year-old playmaker Rodri won the European title with Spain last summer and won the Premier League championship with Manchester City. He succeeds Lionel Messi.
Rodri accepted the trophy on crutches from former footballer George Weah, who was the first African footballer to be named FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 1995. Rodri is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury suffered in September.
Second year in a row
Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was chosen as the best football player for the second time in a row. The 26-year-old midfielder won the Champions League with Barcelona this year. Her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo finished in second and third place respectively.
ReutersAitana Bonmatí
Lamine Yamal was voted best footballer under 21 years old. He received the prize from Ruud Gullit. The 17-year-old dribbler from FC Barcelona played a major role in winning the European title with Spain last summer.
Introduction of the Cruijff trophy
The Johan Cruijff trophy was also introduced at the gala. This concerns the award for best coach of the year. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti won the men’s competition. England’s Emma Hayes, the United States women’s national coach, became the winner among the women.
AFPJordi Cruijff and Hristo Stoichkov introduce the prize named after Johan Cruijff
Aston Villa’s Argentinian Emiliano Martínez won the best male goalkeeper award for the second year in a row.
No one from Real Madrid was present at the gala. The Spanish club decided not to allow any players or officials to travel to Paris, after it was leaked earlier in the day that the choice was not made for star striker Vinícius Jr. would have fallen.
The Ballon d’Or is an award for the best footballer in the world, organized every year by France Football magazine. The jury consists of journalists from countries that belong to the top hundred of the FIFA world rankings.
ReutersLamine Yamal during the Ballon d’Or gala
