Here’s the list of awards handed out at France Football’s Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday.
Rodri wins first Ballon d’Or
A Premier League player has won the Ballon d’Or as the best men’s player in the world for the first time Cristiano Ronaldo won it for Manchester United in 2008.
That man is Spanish midfielder Rodri, who beats a trio of Real Madrid stars to the honor. Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham did not attend the awards in a reported club boycott over Vini Junior not winning it. Real lost El Clasico 4-0 to Barcelona this weekend at home.
The Manchester City star won the Premier League then led Spain to the EURO 2024 crown, and is the first City player to win the honor. Kevin De Bruyne finished third to Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane in 2022, and Erling Haaland finished second to Lionel Messi last year.
Haaland finished fifth this season, with Phil Foden in 11th, and Ruben Dias 23rd.
Aitana Bonmati wins Ballon d’Or Feminin (again)
The four finalists were three Barcelona players — Aitana Bonmati, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Salma Paralluelo — and the USWNT’s Sophia Smith.
The win goes to Aitana Bonmati for the second-straight season.
Barcelona players have won four-consecutive Ballons d’Or Feminin after Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe won the first two in 2018 and 2019.
Emma Hayes, Carlo Ancelotti win top coaches awards
Carlo Ancelotti won the first Johan Cruyff Trophy as top men’s coach in the world, as Real Madrid are reportedly boycotting the awards over the expectation that Vinicius Junior will not win it (Real have three of the four remaining finalists).
USWNT boss Emma Hayes has won the first ever Ballon d’Or awarded for the best women’s coach.
Emiliano Martinez wins another Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper
There is a repeat for the Yashin Trophy, as Emiliano Martinez goes back-to-back.
Aston Villa’s Argentine star beats out Gianluigi Donnarumma, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, and Unai Simon.
Lamine Yamal wins 2024 Kopa Trophy as best under-21 men’s player
No surprise here, as Yamal becomes the first player under the age of 18 to win this award.
The 17-year-old Barcelona star helped drive Spain to the EURO title, and he pips club and country teammate Pau Cubarsi as well as some big, big names.
Arda Guler finished second in the voting, above Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo, Man City’s Savinho, and Cubarsi.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was also a finalist, as were Salzburg’s Karim Konate, Benfica’s Joao Neves, Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, and PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery.
