Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024, but Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony.
The decision to award the prize for the world’s best player to the midfielder came as a surprise, with Real Madrid’s Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior widely seen as the favourite.
Hours before the ceremony in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony at Chatelet Theatre because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius.
Rodri, 28, played a key role as City held off Arsenal to win the Premier League title last season and was named player of the tournament at Euro 2024 as unfancied Spain emerged triumphant in Germany.
Rodri was diplomatic when addressing the question of Real’s no-show in his post-award press conference.
“They have their decision, they didn’t want to be here for their reasons,” he said. “I just focus on my club and my team-mates.”
Despite the French organisers insisting that the identity of the winner was a closely-guarded secret this year, the news appeared to have leaked ahead of the festivities.
Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati earlier won her second successive women’s Ballon d’Or, after leading her club to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claiming the Nations League with her country.
Ballon d’Or 2024 final rankings
1 – Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
2 – Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
3 – Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
4 – Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
5 – Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
6 – Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)
7 – Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
8 – Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
9 – Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
10 – Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
