Rodri received the Ballon d’Or as the best male player in world football

Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmati won the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards for the world’s best footballer on Monday 28 October.

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 triumph. He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi Argentina.

Rodri covered his face with his hands as his name was read out by former winner George Weah.

“An incredible night for me,” said Rodri, who released for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last month and arrived at the ceremony on crutches. “One of my key things is I always try to improve every game.”

Bonmati, 26, retained her award after helping Barcelona win the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Bonmati joins Barca teammate Alexia Putellas in winning two titles since the women’s trophy was first awarded in 2018. She beat teammates Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway and Salma Paralluelo of Spain as Barcelona finished 1-2-3.

“It’s great to be here again,” said Bonmati, who received her award from Oscar winner Natalie Portman. “Thank you to my teammates and clubs who make me a better footballer every year.”

Vinicius Junior was among the men’s final four, along with his Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. But no one from Madrid attended the gala in central Paris, although Carlo Ancelotti won the coach of the year award.

Vinicius was considered one of the favorites to win the award until he decided not to go to the ceremony in Paris. The decision was made by Madrid, said a person who works with Vinicius and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the player’s whereabouts.

Vinicius finished second in the voting, with Bellingham third.

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

Although Rodri is not a flashy player or a prolific goalscorer like Messi and Ronaldo, he has made a huge impact on the City team thanks to his ability to defend defenses and distribute passes at the back with precision.

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

During his time in the team, City looked unstoppable at times, and his superior technical ability allowed him to fit seamlessly into the fast-passing style so effective in Spain at Euro 2024.

Bonmati scored 19 goals for the second season in a row for Barca and has scored five goals in five appearances for Spain this year, taking her international tally to 26.

The Ballon d’Or was founded by France Football magazine and has been awarded to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. Journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings vote for him.

Each journalist, one from each country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points assigned to each position. The winner is the player with the most points. Unlike FIFA’s annual awards for the best players, fans do not participate in the voting system.

Yamal Trophy and other awards

On a successful night for the Spanish and Barca players, teenage prodigy Lamin Yamal – the European Championship’s youngest ever goalscorer – won the Copa award for best under-21 player, while Barca took home the award for best women’s team.

Real Madrid was named the best men’s team.

Former PSG striker Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared the Gerd Müller award for scoring the most goals for club and country last season (52 goals). Mbappe moved to Madrid in the off-season.

Argentine penalty saver Emiliano Martinez retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper.

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

Spain forward Jenny Hermosowho fought sexism in Spanish football after being kissed on the lips at last year’s Women’s World Cup final by former federation president Luis Rubiales, received a Socrates award for her humanitarian work.

France Football presented a special award to the wife and son of the late German figure. Franz Beckenbauer.

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