October 28th 2024.
In a historic turn of events, Manchester City and Spain's very own midfielder, Rodri, has been awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the year 2024. This incredible achievement comes after a remarkable season, where Rodri's contributions led his team to win both the Premier League and the European Championship. Adding to the celebrations, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati has been crowned the Women's Ballon d'Or winner.
It is not often that a holding midfielder is recognized as the top individual player, but Rodri's impact on both club and country has earned him this honorable recognition. Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham followed closely in second and third place, much to the dismay of the Spanish club.
However, there was controversy surrounding the award ceremony, as reports of the winners were leaked before the official announcement. Real Madrid, who were aware that none of their players would receive the prestigious award, decided to snub the event altogether. In their absence, Rodri graciously accepted the award, despite arriving on crutches. The 28-year-old is currently recovering from an ACL injury that he sustained in a match against Arsenal in September, which unfortunately will keep him out of the game for the rest of the season.
But this setback did not stop Rodri from making history, as he became the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d'Or since 2008, when Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the title. He also became the first Spanish male player to win the award since Luis Suarez in 1960. In his acceptance speech, Rodri shared a heartwarming anecdote about his journey to this moment, and how his father's words of encouragement kept him going.
On the women's side, 26-year-old Aitana Bonmati secured her second consecutive Ballon d'Or win after her instrumental role in Barcelona's success in both the Champions League and La Liga. Caroline Graham Hansen came in second place, followed by Salma Paralluelo in third.
In her acceptance speech, Bonmati humbly thanked her teammates and the club's president, Joan Laporta, for their support and contribution to her growth as a player. She also acknowledged that this achievement would not have been possible without the collective effort of her team.
The evening also saw the announcement of other prestigious awards, such as the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best under-21 player in the world. This year, it was won by Barcelona and Spain's very own Lamine Yamal, with Arda Guler in second place and Kobbie Mainoo, Savinho, and Pau Cubarsi following closely behind.
The Gerd Muller Trophy, given to the highest scoring player of the previous season, was shared by Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, who both scored an impressive 52 goals for their respective clubs and countries.
There were also awards for the best goalkeeper, won by Aston Villa and Argentina's Emiliano Martinez for the second year in a row, and the best coaches, with Emma Hayes winning the Women's Coach of the Year and Carlo Ancelotti taking home the Men's Coach of the Year award.
As the night came to an end, the full list of Ballon d'Or nominees was revealed, with players like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe among the top contenders. It was a night filled with celebration, recognition, and unforgettable moments for the world of football.
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