By Ian Parker, PA
Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or and Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati took the women’s award as a ‘disrespected’ Real Madrid boycotted the prestigious ceremony in Paris despite being named men’s club of the year.
Rodri beat the Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham to the top honour, and that verdict from the 100-strong panel of voters led the delegation from the Spanish giants to stay at home.
As a result, there was nobody on hand to collect the men’s club of the year award, Carlo Ancelotti could not accept the men’s coach of the year award, and Kylian Mbappe was not there to take his share of the Gerd Muller trophy alongside Harry Kane.
😘✨
Sweet dreams @ManCity! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/mYAvcPg7Hi
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Not that Rodri cared about that as recognition came for the defensive midfielder at the end of a year in which he helped Spain to glory at the Euros while also lifting the Premier League trophy for a fourth consecutive season with City.
The 28-year-old was helped on to the stage on crutches after his season-ending knee ligament injury.
Speaking in Spanish, Rodri said: “I have so many things to thank people for. Today is a very special day for me and for my family, my country.
AITANA BONMATÍ pic.twitter.com/guIDlGCiEx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2024
“I don’t want to forget my team-mates, I understand it is a group game.
“The national team and Luis (de la Fuente, coach), for trusting me for so long, I have to mention my team-mates with whom we won the Euros. This is not just for me but for Spanish football.”
Bonmati won the women’s award for a second year running as Barcelona, who lifted the Champions League trophy for a third time in four years, completed a clean sweep of the top three places, rounded out by Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo.
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