Rodri , midfielder for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, has won the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

Rodri beat off competition from Real Madrid and Brazil striker Vinicius and Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham .

The City midfielder wanted to speak in Spanish and started a long list of dedications : «I thank everyone who voted for me, my wife and my family (present in the room, ed.), my teammates, those of the national team, Carvajal who had the same injury and who deserved to be here in this group, to Lamine who deserves to win soon, to Xavi, Iniesta and all those who were unable to win, to those who have the role of midfielder», he said publicly thanking his father who supported him «in the moments when I wanted to leave and in the moments of despair».

During the Parisian evening, also marked by controversy over the choice of winner, with Vinicius' Real Madrid boycotting the ceremony, Lamine Yamal was also awarded as best young player, Barcelona women as best team, Ancelotti (absent) as best coach and Emma Hayes (Olympic champion with the USA) as best coach.

Socrates Award for social football to Jenny Hermoso, the Spanish player of the 'scandalous' kiss of Rubiales. «To the girls who want to become footballers like us - she said - we must leave a game without gender violence».

Lautaro Martinez, the Argentine favorite among Serie A players and who this year won the Italian championship with Inter and the Copa America with Argentina, placed only seventh behind Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

(Unioneonline/vl)