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

The annual Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris celebrated the pinnacle of soccer excellence, showcasing remarkable talent from Spain. Manchester City’s Rodri clinched his first Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí secured her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin. The evening highlighted the significant achievements of Spanish players across various categories, further solidifying Spain’s position in the global soccer landscape.

Rodri’s triumph comes on the heels of an extraordinary year, where he played a pivotal role in both Manchester City’s and Spain’s successes. Under his influence, Manchester City achieved an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, and the Spanish national team triumphed at Euro 2024 this summer.

Reflecting on his win, Rodri expressed his gratitude, saying, “Incredible night for me today. After all the hard work, after all the dark phases in my life, the light has risen now.” He acknowledged the importance of improving his contributions in the final third, emphasizing, “I was a traditional midfielder, but I realized I had to excel in assists and goals to enhance my game.”

At 28 years old, Rodri highlighted the collective effort of his teammates, stating that his individual accolades stemmed from the support of his club and national colleagues. He finished ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who took second and third place, respectively. Both players were instrumental in Real Madrid’s record-extending 15th Champions League title and another La Liga championship.

On the women’s side, Bonmatí’s second Ballon d’Or win underscores her central role in Barcelona Femení’s historic achievements. She helped lead her team to an unprecedented quadruple this year, capturing titles in Liga F, the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa de la Reina.

Upon receiving her award, Bonmatí expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m really thankful to be back here and win this award again. But this is not an individual achievement; it is a group thing.” She credited her teammates for her success, acknowledging their contributions to her performance. The award was presented by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman, who praised Bonmatí’s accomplishments and encouraged viewers to support women’s soccer.

Bonmatí triumphed over her Barcelona Femení teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, who finished in second and third place, respectively. She humbly remarked, “Tonight it’s me who won it, but it could have been Caroline or Salma as well.”

The night also celebrated Barcelona’s young talent, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal winning the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player. Yamal’s exceptional performances for Barcelona and his critical contributions to Spain’s Euro 2024 victory made him a standout player. Notably, during a recent El Clásico against Real Madrid, he became the youngest goalscorer in the fixture’s history, netting a goal at just 17 years and 106 days old.

The ceremony recognized numerous other outstanding players and coaches. The Gerd Müller Trophy for the top scorer was awarded jointly to Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. Emiliano Martínez was honored with the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, while Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award for her humanitarian work. In coaching accolades, Emma Hayes won the Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy, and Carlo Ancelotti took home the Men’s equivalent. Barcelona Femení was named Women’s Club of the Year, while Real Madrid secured the title for Men’s Club of the Year.

This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony not only celebrated individual brilliance but also highlighted the collective achievements of Spanish soccer, marking a historic moment for players and fans alike. As Spanish players continue to excel on both domestic and international stages, the future of soccer in Spain looks incredibly promising.