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Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí win the Ballon d’Or awards for men and women

Vaseline October 29, 2024

CNN
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It was a successful night for Spanish football at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony – the annual football awards celebrating the best players in men’s and women’s football.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri won his first Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin during Monday’s presentation.

There was a Spanish presence at a host of other awards at the ceremony in Paris, including irrepressibly talented teenager Lamine Yamal who collected the award for best player under 21.

Rodri enjoyed an exceptional 2024 and was crucial to the success of both Manchester City and Spain throughout the year.

Manchester City won a record fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2024 and Spain were crowned champions at the 2024 European Championship this summer.

“An incredible night for me today,” said Rodri after winning the trophy.

“After all the hard work, after all the dark phases in my life, the dark times when I worked so hard to achieve those goals, the light has now emerged,” the midfielder said, according to the broadcast’s English translator.

Rodri credited his improvement in the final third with helping him win the award.

“I was a traditional midfielder, but once I realized that if I want to get better, I have to do better in the final third – assists, goals – and that is why my presence in recent years in that sense in terms of goals has been. increased.”

The 28-year-old also thanked his club and international teammates for their part in his individual success.

Rodri finished ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who finished second and third, respectively.

Vinícius and Bellingham helped Real Madrid to a record-extending 15th Champions League title in 2024, as well as another La Liga title.

Rodri helped lead Manchester City and Spain to success in 2024.

Bonmatí was once again crucial to Barcelona Femení’s success this year, winning her second consecutive Ballon d’Or.

The midfielder helped Barcelona Femení to its first ever quadruple, winning titles in Liga F, the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa de la Reina.

“I’m very grateful to be back here and win this award again,” Bonmati said after receiving the award, according to the broadcast’s English translator.

“But this is not an individual achievement, it is a group affair. I am very lucky to play with those great players that I play with every day, it is thanks to them that I am the best player today.”

Hollywood star Natalie Portman was present to present Bonmatí with her award.

“Congratulations on your second win, it is so extraordinary what you have achieved two years in a row now, and you are a hero to many of us here,” Portman said before calling on viewers to support and watch women’s football.

Bonmatí beat Barcelona Femení teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo to the prize. Graham Hansen finished second and Paralluelo came third respectively.

“Tonight I am the one who won the prize, but it could also have been Caroline or Salma,” Bonmatí added.

Barcelona players continued to collect trophies, with teenager Yamal taking home the Kopa Trophy – the award given to the best under-21 player in men’s football.

Despite being just 17 years old, the tricky winger has been in blistering form for Barcelona over the past year and also played a key role in Spain’s victory at the 2024 European Championship.

Yamal’s most recent success came in the historic match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

During Saturday’s 4-0 win over Barcelona, Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in El Clásico history at just 17 years and 106 days old.