Rodri wins Ballon d’Or after Real boycott, United in Amorim talks, Ohtani fit for Game 3

Manchester City midfielder wins men’s award for first time, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati seals women’s trophy for second year running

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Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph did not go down well in Madrid, despite him being the first Spanish player to win in more than 60 years. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:30am, 29 Oct 2024

It hasn’t been a great few days for Real Madrid, and the Spanish club’s sense of entitlement is hardly likely to win them any new fans.

Convinced, correctly as it turned out, that stars Vinicius Jnr and Dani Carvajal were not going to win the Ballon d’Or, they boycotted Monday’s ceremony entirely, and missed boss Carlo Ancelotti being named coach of the year.

But there can’t be many complaints about a player integral to the best club side in the world winning, so as seems normal these days, that’s where we’ll start, with Rodri and another honour for Manchester City.

Simply the best

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or, after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024.

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second year running. Photo: AP

Still, despite the 28-year-old playing a key role in City’s title triumph, and being named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, Real Madrid’s Vinicius had been the favourite. The Brazilian ultimately finished second, ahead of teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.

While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard had won since Barcelona great Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain’s “golden generation” who won the 2010 World Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Euros.

“Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi [Hernandez], Iker [Casillas], Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder,” Rodri said.

Bonmati makes history

Just to rub salt in Real Madrid’s wounds, Barcelona dominated the women’s Ballon d’Or, and also walked away with the women’s club of the year award, while Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, for the best under-21 men’s player.