The Ballon d’Or awards night saw Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí being honored as the world’s best male and female footballers, marking a big win for Spanish football. Rodri’s crucial role in Manchester City’s success and Bonmatí’s contributions to Barcelona and Spain’s national team earned them top spots. However, the night was not without controversy as Real Madrid’s absence cast a shadow over the celebrations, with their players and fans expressing dissatisfaction with the results.
Rodri’s Path to the Ballon d’Or
Rodri, at 28, received the Ballon d’Or after an impressive season, both with Manchester City and the Spanish national team. His influence as a midfield general played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s Premier League victory and Spain’s UEFA European Championship. Although he faced strong competition, Rodri’s consistent performance earned him top honors over Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who placed second.
The achievement was significant not only for Rodri but also for Manchester City, making him the first City player to win this prestigious individual award. However, his moment of joy came with some difficulties. Rodri, currently sidelined with an ACL injury, arrived on crutches, visibly moved as he accepted the award from former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah. “When I was a kid, I never thought of winning the Ballon d’Or,” Rodri said, crediting his team and supporters for helping him reach such heights in his career.
Bonmatí’s Second Win Shows Her Consistency
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí continued her reign, securing her second consecutive Ballon d’Or. The 26-year-old Barcelona and Spain midfielder delivered an impressive season, winning the Spanish league, the Copa de la Reina, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona. Her performance at the Women’s World Cup added to her reputation as a world-class player, helping Spain clinch the title for the first time.
Bonmatí, known for her playmaking ability and versatility, celebrated her win humbly, crediting her teammates and expressing gratitude to her club, Barcelona, for pushing her to grow as a player. She accepted the award from actress Natalie Portman, an advocate for women’s sports, who handed Bonmatí the trophy in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Real Madrid’s Notable Absence
While the awards honored some of football’s finest, Real Madrid’s conspicuous absence at the Paris event stirred discussions. Despite impressive performances from players like Vinícius Júnior, who was a fan favorite to win, and Jude Bellingham, who took third place, none of the club’s players or representatives attended the ceremony. Madrid’s absence was seen as a silent protest against what the club viewed as an unfair outcome.
Notably, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Johan Cruyff award for best men’s coach, and Vinícius Júnior shared their disappointment on social media. Vinícius expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome in a post, suggesting he would not give up. “I’ll do it 10x if needed. They are not ready,” he wrote. His teammate Eduardo Camavinga backed him, calling the outcome “football politics” and praising Vinícius as the best.
Success Beyond Madrid
Despite Real Madrid’s absence, other Spanish players and clubs took home major awards. Teen prodigy Lamine Yamal from Barcelona was named the best Under-21 player, winning the Kopa Trophy. Yamal’s rapid rise, including his record-breaking goal at the European Championship, has already marked him as one to watch in the future.
Barcelona continued to shine, as the club was honored with the best women’s team award, and Spain’s World Cup hero Jenni Hermoso accepted the Socrates Award for her humanitarian efforts. The award recognizes her courage and leadership in challenging sexism within Spanish football following her controversial moment with former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales.
In other categories, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Müller award for their prolific scoring, with both scoring 52 goals for club and country last season. Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez was named the world’s best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year, receiving the Lev Yashin award for his outstanding saves, especially during penalty shootouts.
The Legacy of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, which has been awarded by France Football magazine since 1956 for men and since 2018 for women, remains one of the most respected accolades in football. The awards are determined by a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, who each submit a list of ten players. Points are then given based on rankings, and the player with the highest total receives the award.
While the Ballon d’Or stands apart from FIFA’s awards by excluding fan votes, this year’s ceremony has ignited debates over transparency and representation in award decisions. Real Madrid’s absence and its players’ reactions show a growing frustration with perceived biases, adding to the ongoing discussions around the awards.
For Rodri, Bonmatí, and other winners, the Ballon d’Or night was a celebration of hard work, consistency, and resilience. The recognition of Rodri as a defensive powerhouse and Bonmatí as a leader in women’s football reflects the changing landscape, where diverse playing styles are being honored at the highest level. Despite Real Madrid’s absence, the event celebrated the best of the sport, highlighting new names and enduring talents who continue to inspire fans worldwide.
