Spain’s Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí have been honored with the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or awards as the best male and female footballers, respectively. The announcement was made at a grand ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on October 28, 2024. Established in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is regarded as the highest individual accolade in football, except for 2020, when it was not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodri Secures His First Ballon d’Or
Spanish midfielder Rodri, playing for Manchester City, clinched his first Ballon d’Or after a stellar season. He played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s fourth straight Premier League title and contributed significantly to Spain’s victory in the 2024 Euro Cup. Rodri’s win places him as the second Spanish footballer to win the Ballon d’Or, following Luis Suárez, who won in 1960. He surpassed England’s Jude Bellingham and Brazil’s Vinícius Junior to claim this prestigious honor.
Aitana Bonmatí Clinches Her Second Consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin
Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona and Spain’s midfield powerhouse, won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin after a fantastic 2024 season. Bonmatí’s performances led Barcelona to Liga F, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa de la Reina titles. She edged out fellow Barcelona players Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo to secure the top women’s award.
2024 Ballon d’Or Award Winners – Full List
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer): Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich) and Kylian Mbappé (France, PSG/Real Madrid)
- Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Kopa Trophy (Best Player Under-21): Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Socrates Award (Humanitarian Contribution): Jennifer Hermoso (Spain, Tigres Femenil)
- Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach of the Year): Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea)
- Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (Coach of the Year): Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení (Spain)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Real Madrid (Spain)
About the Ballon d’Or Award
The Ballon d’Or, created by France Football magazine, has been awarded annually since 1956, with Stanley Matthews of England as the inaugural winner. Initially exclusive to European players, the award was opened to all players worldwide in 1995.
In 2018, the Ballon d’Or Féminin was introduced to honor the best female footballer, with Norway’s Ada Hegerberg being the first recipient. Argentinian legend Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards, having won it eight times.
The winners are selected by football journalists worldwide, with the men’s award voted on by one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries and the women’s award by journalists from the top 50 countries.
