Rodri’s Rise to the Top
Rodri emerged victorious at the 2024 Ballon d’Or. It only took a few well-timed tackles and a sprinkle of Manchester City magic for Rodri to transform from “that guy who plays midfield” to “the man of the hour.” Former teammate Ilkay Gundogan voiced his approval, humorously insisting that Rodri could finally drop the “underrated” label.
With his heartfelt backstory featuring tearful phone calls and a supportive dad, he carved an inspiring tale of perseverance out of his journey.
Vinicius Junior‘s second-place finish sent shockwaves, as he was the favorite but still ended behind Manchester’s Rodri.
Jude Bellingham secured third place in the men’s category, just in case anyone forgot he existed—good luck in next year’s awards!
Aitana Bonmati: The Queen of the Ballon d’Or Feminin
Aitana Bonmati has cemented her status as the reigning queen of women’s football by winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or Feminin. This triumph marks her second consecutive victory, as being an all-around footballing superstar clearly isn’t thrilling enough without some additional accolades. She took the stage alongside her Barcelona teammates, making it feel more like a group celebration rather than an individual award, a collective display of their awesomeness.
She expressed her pride in being part of such a powerhouse club, which has certainly turned into a trophy factory.
Barcelona’s success was rounded off by Aitana’s teammates. Caroline Graham Hansen took second place, and Salma Paralluelo came in third
Emma Hayes and Carlo Ancelotti: A Dynamic Duo of Coaching Brilliance
Emma Hayes and Carlo Ancelotti basked in the limelight, adding a little extra sparkle to an already star-studded event.
Hayes bagged the inaugural Women’s Coach of the Year award, proving that coaching can be just as glamorous as playing.
With a mix of pride and the kind of embarrassment that comes from receiving praises in front of a crowd, Hayes accepted her award. It was the classic mom move, where the spotlight is on her kid but she’s still humble about her role.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti, known for his suave demeanor and tactical genius, secured the Johan Cruyff Award for his exceptional management this past season. If anyone knows how to win a trophy while making it look effortless, it’s Carlo. He’s an example that coaching excellence doesn’t come with a manual—it comes with years of experience, charm, and, let’s be honest, probably a bit of magic.
These two are the real MVPs, reminding us all that behind every great player lies an equally great coach.
Other Notable Winners: The Glittering Prize Pool
Top Scorer? That honor sauntered its way into the hands of none other than Harry Kane, who shared the Gerd Müller Trophy for leading the goal-scoring chart last season with Kylian M’Bappe. Who knew scoring goals could be so classy? Kane clearly took “if you can’t beat them, join them” to a new level by partnering in this award-sharing endeavor.
Then we have the Best Goalkeeper award making its grand appearance, and guess who snatched it? Emiliano Martinez! He blocked shots left and right like he was auditioning for a role in an action movie—next stop, Hollywood.
The award for the best young player went to Lamine Yamal! This energetic lad not only took home the Kopa Trophy for best young player but also made everyone question if he’s secretly some sort of footballing wizard. Yamal is like that kid in school who crushes exams out of sheer charm.
Lastly, Real Madrid managed to win the Best Club award without even showing up to the ceremony. Talk about a power move! They may have skipped the glam of Paris, but apparently, their trophy cabinet can’t take a vacation. As they bask in the glory of their storied history and recent successes, it’s clear that even in absence, they still cast a long shadow over the awards night.