90min
·28 October 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·28 October 2024
The 2024 Ballon d'Or and 2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin awards were handed out a star-studded ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
As always, there was plenty of fanfare and intrigue as to who would the win top prizes, with particular mystery surrounding the men's award won for the eighth time in 2023 by Lionel Messi.
Vinicius Junior was the frontrunner in many people's estimation, owing to a superb year for both Real Madrid – whom he won La Liga and the Champions League with – and with national team Brazil. But in a shock late turn of events, Manchester City midfielder Rodri scooped the award - Vinicius, teammate Dani Carvajal and the entire Real Madrid camp skipping the awards ceremony in its entirety after learning of the outcome.
Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the second successive year - continuing the Spanish dominance of the award first started by her club and international teammate Alexia Putellas.
Lamine Yamal was named the Kopa Trophy winner for 2024 – the first award announced after the ceremony began – and Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe shared the Gerd Muller Trophy after tremendous goalscoring seasons. Emiliano Martinez retained the Yashin Trophy award he won in 2023 after another outstanding 12 months.
Rodri scooped the 2024 Ballon d'Or / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
Rodri became the first defensive midfielder to pick up the Ballon d'Or after an exceptional campaign with Manchester City.
He was among the favourites to lift the Ballon d'Or, but seemed less likely to pick up the trophy than Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior - who won both La Liga and the Champions League with the Spanish giants.
Bonmati retained the Ballon d'Or / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati scooped her second successive Ballon d'Or Feminin after another magical year.
The Catalan star retained football's most coveted individual prize after an immense campaign with Barcelona - winning the club's fifth consecutive Liga F title as well as lifting the Women's Champions League.
Emi Martinez pictured before the start of the Ballon d'Or ceremony / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
The Yashin Trophy is handed out to the best men's goalkeeper every year, with the winner chosen based on their performances from the previous season. It is selected by a number of former Ballon d'Or winners.
The Kopa Trophy has been awarded at the Ballon d'Or ceremony since 2018 and is claimed by the best performing male footballer under the age of 21. It can be won by players outside of UEFA competition and leagues, which sets it apart from the Golden Boy award.
The award is named after the legendary Raymond Kopa and there have only been five past winners after 2020's award was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harry Kane scored 52 goals to share the Gerd Muller trophy with Kylian Mbappe / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
After both finishing the 2023/24 season with 52 goals in all competitions, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe were the joint-winners of the Gerd Muller Trophy - won by Erling Haaland in 2023.
Only Kane was there to accept the award, however, with Real Madrid opting not to send Mbappe or any other representative to the ceremony.
Ancelotti was named Coach of the Year / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Carlo Ancelotti was named Coach of the Year after a stunning campaign with Real Madrid, achieving glory in La Liga and the Champions League.
He did not attend the ceremony to accept his award, with Madrid choosing not to send any representatives.
Hayes was celebrated at the Ballon d'Or / Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages
After an immense spell with Chelsea, Emma Hayes was named head coach of the USWNT - guiding the team to gold medal success at the summer Olympic Games.
Hayes was not in attendance to accept the award but did send her gratitude through a heartfelt video message.