By Samuel A. October 29, 2024
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez touched footballing apex on the 28th of October, as he clinched the inaugural men’s Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year, for the first time ever in his career, becoming the first ever Manchester City player to win it, and the first Spanish player since 1960 to achieve such feat. The 28 year old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, is also the first Premier League player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Rodri, who helped Spain win Euro 2024 in July, was awarded the prize in Paris on Monday evening. He also won the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
Rodri, the first player in the club’s history to win the Ballon d’Or, claimed the award ahead of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr. Jude Bellingham was third, the highest an English player has finished since Frank Lampard’s second place in 2005. He is the fourth England based player to win, following Manchester United’s George Best in 1968, Liverpool’s Michael Owen in 2001 and Ronaldo in 2008.
He said during his speech: “A very special day for me, my family and my country. Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like Iniesta, Xavi, Iker Casillas, Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder. Today many friends have written to me and have told me that football has won, for giving visibility to so many midfielders who have a job in the shadows and today it is coming to light. I’m a regular guy with values, who studies, who tries to do things right and doesn’t try to follow the stereotypes, and even so I have been able to get to the top and it is thanks to all of you.”
Asked about the ACL injury that will rule him out for the season, he said: “I am just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy the free time with my family and come back stronger.”
Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona women’s team also won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second time in a row, after winning the Champions League and league title with the team.
In other events of the night, Real Madrid, who decided not to show up after they heard that Vinicius Junior was not winning the award, won the award for club of the year, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was the winner of the men’s coach of the year award, but there was no one from the club present to receive the prizes.
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe shared the Gerd Muller Trophy – the award for the best goalscorer – after both scoring 52 goals in all competitions last season, but with Real Madrid and France forward Mbappe absent, England captain Kane was presented the award alone following a stellar first season with Bayern Munich.
The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best performing player under the age of 21, went to Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who turned 17 in July, made 50 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring seven goals and seven assists. He was also part of Spain’s Euro 2024 winning side where his four assists in Germany matched the record for any player in a single European Championship.
The youngest player, goalscorer and winner at a Euros, Yamal was named young player of the tournament.
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy – the award for the best goalkeeper – for the second year running. Martinez helped Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League last season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time. The 32 year old also played a key role in Argentina winning the Copa America with five clean sheets in six games.
“Winning once is an honour, back-to-back is something I never expected,” said Martinez, who is the first player to win the goalkeeping award twice in a row.
