Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí were named the world’s best male and female soccer players, respectively, at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, The Associated Press reports.
However, the event was overshadowed by a notable absence: Real Madrid, the reigning Champions League winners, boycotted the ceremony in an apparent protest against the results.
Rodri, who helped Manchester City secure the Premier League title and played a pivotal role in Spain’s European Championship triumph, won the coveted award for the first time. The 28-year-old edged out Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior for the top spot, a result that sparked outrage within the Spanish club.
Real Madrid and its players skipped the ceremony and subsequently expressed their displeasure on social media. Ancelotti posted a message on X, as did Vinícius, who was considered a strong contender for the award. Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga described the vote as “football politics.”
Bonmatí, who helped Barcelona win the Spanish league, cup, and Champions League, retained her title, becoming the second player to win the award twice. She beat out her Barcelona teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo to complete a Barcelona 1-2-3 finish.
While the focus was on the award ceremony, several other accolades were handed out.
• Lamine Yamal, the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship, won the Kopa award for best Under-21 player.
• Barcelona was named the best women’s team, while Real Madrid won the best men’s team award.
• Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for most club and country goals last season.
• Emiliano Martínez retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper.
• Ancelotti and Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff award for best men’s and women’s coach.
• Jenni Hermoso, who has been vocal against sexism in Spanish soccer, received the Socrates award for humanitarian work.
