DINH DOONG

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held on October 29 and hosted by France Football, crowned Manchester City midfielder Rodri as the best male footballer of the year. However, the event, described by many as one of the most contentious in the award’s history, has sparked widespread controversy, with Real Madrid notably boycotting the ceremony in response to Rodri’s victory over their stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

Rodri’s award comes after an incredible season where he led Manchester City to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title and secured a Euro 2024 win with the Spanish national team. Despite suffering from a recent injury, Rodri attended the event on crutches to collect his award, embodying the perseverance and dedication that defined his season.

However, the absence of both Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, along with the entire Real Madrid delegation—including managers, players, and public relations staff—cast a shadow over the night. Initially, Real Madrid had planned to attend the event with a large contingent, even organizing a celebration for Vinicius, who many believed would be named the winner. Reports had widely circulated suggesting that Vinicius was set to claim the Ballon d’Or. Yet, when internal sources revealed that Rodri would take home the award, Real Madrid canceled their plans in protest and opted not to participate in the ceremony.

This absence was perceived by many as an intentional boycott by the Spanish giants, signaling their displeasure with France Football‘s decision. Adding fuel to the controversy, Vinicius took to social media after the ceremony, expressing his frustration with a cryptic message: “I will work ten times harder if needed. They were not ready!”

The fallout from the awards has also reignited debates over the transparency and fairness of the Ballon d’Or voting process. Several media outlets speculated that behind-the-scenes manipulation could have influenced the final outcome, suggesting that external factors might have swayed the vote in Rodri’s favor. While France Football traditionally releases the voting breakdown after the event, the circumstances surrounding this year’s ceremony have left many fans and pundits questioning the legitimacy of the final decision.

For the men’s category, 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations participate in the voting. Each journalist is allowed to nominate ten players from a list of 30 nominees, with the order of the players determining the points awarded. This meticulous voting process is designed to ensure fairness, but the controversy surrounding Rodri’s victory has raised concerns about whether the system is as impartial as intended.

Adding to the intrigue, Real Madrid seemed indifferent to other awards they were set to receive. Despite winning the Men’s Club of the Year award and Carlo Ancelotti being named the Best Men’s Coach, the club’s leadership chose not to accept the accolades. This decision reinforced the perception that the boycott was a deliberate act of defiance toward the award organizers.

Full List of 2024 Ballon d’Or Awards

• Men’s Ballon d’Or: Rodri
• Men’s Silver Ball: Vinicius Junior
• Men’s Bronze Ball: Jude Bellingham
• Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmatí
• Women’s Silver Ball: Caroline Graham Hansen
• Women’s Bronze Ball: Salma Paralluelo
• Best Men’s Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
• Best Women’s Coach: Emma Hayes
• Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player): Lamine Yamal
• Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Emiliano Martinez
• Gerd Muller Trophy (Top Scorers): Harry Kane & Kylian Mbappe (52 goals each)
• Socrates Award (Humanitarian Efforts): Jennifer Hermoso
• Best Men’s Club: Real Madrid
• Best Women’s Club: Barcelona

The ceremony’s outcome also highlighted the growing prominence of Spanish football, with Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí securing her second Ballon d’Or Féminin and Lamine Yamal being named the best young player.

Rodri’s victory, while controversial, marks a significant achievement in his career, capping off a season in which he was instrumental for both club and country. After receiving the award, the midfielder expressed gratitude toward his teammates, coaches, and family, reflecting on the importance of self-improvement: “I always try to be a better version of myself every day. People may not know much about me, but I enjoy what I do and aim to learn from the best.”

Rodri also addressed his injury status during the ceremony, remaining optimistic about his recovery: “Injuries are part of life and sport. I’ve learned to focus on the positive and stay mentally strong through these challenges.”

Despite the triumphs celebrated at the ceremony, the tension between Real Madrid and the event organizers has left a lasting impression. The unexpected absence of the Real Madrid delegation and the hints of dissatisfaction from Vinicius suggest that the controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d’Or may not fade anytime soon.

As the dust settles, questions remain about the integrity of the awards process and the dynamics between top clubs and football’s governing institutions. With football fans worldwide debating the outcome, the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be remembered not just for Rodri’s victory but also for the drama that unfolded both on and off the stage.