PARIS (AP) — Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí won the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or on Monday as the world’s best footballers, while Real Madrid snubbed the star-studded ceremony in Paris in apparent protest.

Rodri, 28, won the prestigious award for the first time after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and being a key player in Spain’s European Championship win.

He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi of Argentina and beat Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior into second place, a result that greatly displeased the Spanish club. Madrid and its players stayed away from the ceremony and then vented their feelings on social media.

Rodri showed his emotion as his name was read out by former winner George Weah, putting his hands over his face.

“Unbelievable night for me,” said Rodri, who is out for the season after suffering his cruciate ligament injury last month and came to the ceremony on crutches. “One of my most important things is that I always try to improve every match.”

Despite his abilities, Rodri was known as a hard-working and selfless player and was quick to deflect praise onto others.

“I would like to once again thank those who recognize my value in the game,” he said. “When I was a kid I never thought about winning the Ballon d’Or, but in recent years I have been playing at the highest level.”

Bonmatí, 26, retained her accolade after helping Barcelona win the Spanish League, Spanish Cup and Champions League. Bonmatí joined Barca teammate Alexia Putellas in winning two titles since the women’s trophy was first awarded in 2018. She defeated her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway and Salma Paralluelo of Spain as Barcelona completed a 1-2-3.

“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” said Bonmatí, who accepted the award from Oscar winner Natalie Portman. “Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better footballer every year.”

Although attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham came third and Dani Carvajal fourth in the voting, and coach Carlo Ancelotti won the coach of the year award, no one from Madrid attended the gala in central Paris.

Ancelotti instead posted on X, as did Vinicius, who was considered by many to be the favorite for the award even though Rodri also had an excellent season.

“I will do it ten times if necessary,” Vinicius wrote in Portuguese. “They’re not ready for it.”

Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga made it clear what he thought of the vote, calling it ‘football politics’.

“My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise,” the France international wrote on X alongside a photo of him and Vinicius celebrating together. “I love you, my brother.”

Former Madrid star Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, posted a supportive message in French on Instagram, along with the words ‘Trop Fort’ (‘Too Strong’).

Neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo – winners of the prestigious individual award a total of 13 times – were in the running for this year’s prize – the first time since 2003.

Although Rodri is not a flamboyant player or a prolific goalscorer like Messi and Ronaldo, he had a huge influence on City’s team with his ability to protect the defense and distribute passes neatly from the back.

“I try to be a leader and try to be better than the best every day,” Rodri said.

City at times looked unbeatable with him in the side, while his excellent technical ability allowed him to smoothly fit into the quick passing style that made Spain so effective at the 2024 European Championship. He is the first City player to win the award.

“He is a player without ego, whose level of performance has been exceptional over a very long period of time,” said City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain. “The consistency he has shown is the result of hard work and dedication.”

Bonmatí scored 19 goals for the second season in a row for Barcelona and this year she scored five goals in five games for Spain, taking her international total to 26.

The Ballon d’Or was created by France Football magazine and has been awarded to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. It is voted on by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.

Each journalist, one per country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points awarded to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points. Unlike the FIFA awards for the best players every year, fans are not part of the voting system.

Yamal’s trophy and other prizes

On a good night for players from Spain and Barcelona, ​​teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal – the youngest ever goalscorer at a European Championship – won the Kopa award for best player under 21 and Barca won the award for best women’s team.

In his absence, Real Madrid was voted the best men’s team.

Former PSG striker Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for most club and country goals last season with 52. Mbappe joined Madrid during the off-season.

Argentinian penalty specialist Emiliano Martínez retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper.

Ancelotti and Olympic winning coach Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff Award for best men’s and women’s coach.

Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso, who is fighting against sexism in Spanish football after being kissed on the lips by former federation president Luis Rubiales during last year’s Women’s World Cup final, accepted the Socrates Prize for humanitarian work.

A special award was presented by France Football to the wife and son of the late German great Franz Beckenbauer.

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AP Sports Writers Tales Azzoni and Steve Douglas contributed to this report.

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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer