MANCHESTER CITY and Spain midfielder Rodri has been crowned the winner of the Ballon d’Or!
But the result followed a day of huge controversy as Real Madrid BOYCOTTED the ceremony after learning Vinicius Jr was to be snubbed for the top prize.
While England and Bayern Munich ace Harry Kane won the Gerd Muller Trophy for best striker for the past season, sharing the award with Kylian Mbappe.
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Rodri injury latest
Manchester City star and 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The midfielder suffered a knee injury during last month’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal and required surgery.
City boss Pep Guardiola then confirmed the Spain international won’t play again this term.
The 28-year-old attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony on crutches
Vinicius reacts
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr finished second in the Ballon d’Or shortlist behind eventual winner Rodri.
Vinicius didn’t attend the ceremony along with the entirety of Real’s club as they claimed they were being “disrespected” by the fact their star forward wasn’t winning.
The Brazil international, though, appears to have been motivated to become “10 times” better.
I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.
Vinicius Jr
Why Real didn’t attend
Real Madrid opted not to attend the Ballon d’Or awards after it became apparent Vinicius Junior would miss out on the top men’s prize.
Real claimed the outcome of the Ballon d’Or shows the organisation and Uefa “do not respect” the club.
Los Blancos also claimed one interpretation of the criteria should have led to their star right-back Dani Carvajal winning the award.
If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner.
As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.
Real Madrid
Moment Rodri won
Rodri got emotional once hearing his name from George Weah, who was presenting the Men’s Ballon d’Or winner.
The midfielder received a warm applause from the entire venue after a stunning campaign with Manchester City and Spain.
The 28-year-old thanked his girlfriend and his family during his acceptance speech.
The Spain international also praised his team-mates on club and international level.
Top 3
And here’s the Ballon d’Or’s top three finalists.
Real Madrid ace Dani Carvajal finishes fourth with team-mates Vinicius Jr second and England star Jude Bellingham third.
Rodri wins the award, while team-mate Erling Haaland makes it to fifth place.
Ballon d’Or
Rodri says he “feels well” amid his ongoing knee injury, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The Manchester City stat didn’t share details but insists he is already working hard to return to action.
Rodri wins Ballon d’Or
Rodri has become only the third player to win the Ballon d’Or other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since 2007.
The Manchester City star joins a closed club with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.
Ballon d’Or
Rodri also thanks Spain team-mates Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal after their Euro 2024 triumph.
Carvajal is absent after Real Madrid boycotted the event.
Ballon d’Or
Rodri is dedicating the Ballon d’Or to his girlfriend and family.
The Manchester City star started talking in English but continues in Spnish.
Ballon d’Or
Rodri wins the Men’s Ballon d’Or!!!
Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal complete the top five with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
Ballon d’Or
George Weah singles out Harry Kane in the audience as his favourite player.
Weah will soon name the men’s Ballon d’Or winner.
Ballon d’Or
George Weah is taking to the stage to present the Men’s Ballon d’Or winner.
It is expected that Manchester City star Rodri will win it with Real Madrid pair Vinicius Jr second and Jude Bellingham third.
Ballon d’Or
Natalie Portman congratulates Aitana Bonmati and calls her a “hero”.
Portman also urges fans to buy tickets for women’s matches.
Ballon d’Or
Aitana Bonmati wins the Women’s Ballon d’Or award!
Back-to-back wins for the Barcelona star!
Ballon d’Or
Academy award winner Natalie Portman will award the women’s Ballon d’Or winner.
Portman is a massive football fan that has attended a number of Premier League matches.
Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wins the Men’s Johan Cruyff award.
That means Emma Hayes and Ancelotti are the best women’s and men’s managers of the year.
The Italian tactician is the first Real star to be awarded an individual honour during the club’s collective absence.
Ballon d’Or
Emma Hayes wins the Women’s Johan Cruyff award!
The USA manager couldn’t attend the ceremony and issued a recorded acceptance speech.
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Johan Cruyff getting honoured at the Ballon d’Or awards/
Johan’s son Jordi accepting the award on his behalf.
He is joined by Hristo Stoichkov.
Number 5
Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
The star striker is quite low despite a staggering goalscoring return!
Number 6
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain last season – Real Madrid this season)
Number 7
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Ballon d’Or
Time for the Socrates Award, which goes to Jennifer Hermoso!
The Spain superstar that won the World Cup last year!
Ballon d’Or
Aston Villa star Emi Martinez has won the Lev Yashin award!
Martinez is the best goalkeeper of the year and will be accepting the award from his Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez.
Dibu wins his second consecutive award after helping Villa achieve Champions League qualification for the first time ever and lifting his second Copa America trophy in a row.
Ballon d’Or
It is now time for the Lev Yashin award.
Lautaro Martinez will be presenting the award, why?
No goalkeeping legends available for the Ballon d’Or? Not all of them played for Real Madrid…
Ballon d’Or
England captain Harry Kane and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe win the Gerd Muller trophy.
They both scored 52 goals apiece last season, but only one of them will be accepting the award on stage.
Mbappe is not there as there is absolutely no representative from Real tonight.
Los Blancos are boycotting this year’s award ceremony as they understand Vinicius Jr won’t be winning the award.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
