The Spaniard Rodrigo Hernández Bibula Cascante, known as Rodri, was elected Ballon d’Or 2024 this Monday evening at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Born in Madrid 28 years ago, the Manchester City midfielder was rewarded in particular for his title of English champion with the Citizens and his title of European champion with the Spanish selection this summer. In 2023, he also offered his first Champions League to the Mancunian club.
Seriously injured in his right knee since September, Rodri went on stage using crutches. “This trophy dedicates my victory but also the victory of many other Spaniards, explained the 2024 Ballon d’Or, passed through Villarreal and Atletico Madrid before crossing the Channel. It is also the victory of the Spanish player and the midfielder position. Many friends told me: with you, football won.“The first Frenchman in the ranking, Kylian Mbappé, is 6th.
For the first time, the trophy was awarded to the winner without the winner being informed beforehand. Most observers thought that Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr was the big favorite for this 2024 edition.
But the Brazilian striker, Spanish champion and European champion, did not come to the Châtelet theater in Paris to receive the distinction. And for good reason: in the afternoon, his club decided to boycott the evening, convinced that the trophy was slipping away from them. He also prevented Kylian Mbappé, author of the best goal of the season with Harry Kane, and Carlo Ancelotti, voted best coach of a men’s team, from receiving their reward on stage.
Barcelona raid on the women’s Ballon d’Or
As for the 6th Women’s Ballon d’Or, it went to the Spaniard Aitana Bonmati, crowned for the second time in two years, joining in the Pantheon her compatriot and club teammate, Alexia Putellas, crowned in 2021 and 2022. She is ahead of Elsewhere Putellas and Salma Paraluello, another Spanish player for Barça.
