Manchester City star Rodri was awarded the Ballon d’Or on Monday night, while fellow countrywoman Aitana Bonmati celebrated with the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Rodri, 28, edged out Vinicius Junior for the title at a lavish ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, while England star Jude Bellingham came third. The ceremony recognises the world’s best footballers, with two new awards presented this year: Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year.
Carlo Ancelotti won the Men’s Coach of the Year award after leading Real Madrid to success in La Liga and into the UEFA Champions League, where they beat Borussia Dortmund in the final. Emma Hayes received the Women’s Coach of the Year award for her work at Chelsea and later for her early tenure as head coach of the US national team. Hayes, 48, led Chelsea to a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title before ending her 12-year reign to take a job in the United States.
That includes the significance of the nationality of the winners of the Ballon d’Or and Women’s Ballon d’Or at this year’s 68th annual ceremony.
Double the fun for Spain
Both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or have been awarded to players from the same country for the first time in the ceremony’s 68 years. Rodri has won 57 caps for Spain since making his senior debut in 2018, while Bonmati, also a midfielder, has won 65 caps for Spain since 2017. The 26-year-old star, who has played for Barcelona since 2012, has also represented Catalonia.
But if Bonmati had lost, history would not have been made. Although the runner-up also plays for Barcelona, 29-year-old winger Caroline Graham Hansen is from Norway and has made more than 100 appearances for her country.
And although Vinicius Junior also plays in Spain for Real Madrid, he is a Brazilian footballer, so if he had pipped Rodri to the Ballon d’Or – and Bonmati had won too – the fascinating new piece of history would not have found himself in this situation.
Vinicius Junior supported by several players
All award nominees were invited to a ceremony in Paris after the shortlists were drawn up last month. Vinicius Junior, 24, attended the glamorous event, as did Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who both finished in the top 10.
But the decision to withdraw Vinicius Jr. did not seem to go down well with many players, including those in the Premier League. Brazilian Lucas Paqueta, Vini’s teammate, criticised the decision on Instagram, while Wolverhampton midfielder Mario Lemina said “goodbye football” in rather dramatic fashion following his post lamenting the award.
Tottenham’s Richarlison – another Brazilian – was unhappy, writing on Instagram: “Today all Brazilians who love football woke up with the hope that after so many years a player from our country will once again receive the award as the best player in the world.” Due to unclear criteria, the prize was unfortunately not awarded.”
Rodri’s magnanimous message to Carvajal
Manchester City star Rodri graciously celebrated his Ballon d’Or win with a touching bow to Dani Carvajal – on the night his Spain team-mate’s Real Madrid teammates boycotted the awards in Paris.
Rodri, 28, took home the top prize after helping Spain win a fourth consecutive European Championship and lift the Premier League trophy with City.
Rodri, who was helped onto the stage after being on crutches as a serious knee injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season, was quick to say: “I have so many people to thank,” before listing off a number of names including his girlfriend Laura, his family and Manchester City teammates, of whom he said: “I know without you I wouldn’t be here.”