New Delhi: The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony was just hosted at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. The ceremony was attended by many notable footballer from across the globe and was hosted by legendary African footballer, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba alongside French Journalist, Sandy Heribert. Some of the top contenders for the award were in attendance as well with the likes of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Manchester City’s Rodri. Even Hollywood actress Natalie Portman was in attendance at the ceremony.
Real Madrid pair Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal along with Manchester City’s Rodri were the three favourites to take the crown home. The trio had an incredible 2023-24 season with Rodri winning the Premier League title with his club before winning the UEFA European Champions with Spain. His national teammate, Carvajal also played an integral part of the UEFA Euro win after he’d already helped his club to a UEFA Champions League and La Liga double. Let’s have a look at how the ceremony went down!
Who Won the Ballon d’Or 2024?
Spain sweeps the Ballon d’Or 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/JyAtlMCPQb
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 28, 2024
The men’s 2024 Ballon d’Or was presented by the former President of Liberia and the only African player to win the award, back in 1991, George Weah. Manchester City and Spain midfielder, Rodri, was named as the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or after his phenomenal performances for both his club and national team, helping them win the Premier League title and the UEFA Euro 2024. He was accompanied on the podium by Real Madrid pair Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, who finished second and third respectively.
Hollywood actress and Angel City FC owner, Natalie Portman presented the Ballon d’Or Féminin to FC Barcelona Femení’s Aitana Bonmatí. The Spaniard shone for the club during the 2023/24 season, playing an integral part in their quadruple winning season. She was joined on the podium by fellow Barcelona Femení teammates with Caroline Graham Hansen finishing second and Salma Paralluelo finishing third.
Ballon d’Or 2024 Final Rankings and List of Winners
The OFFICIAL Ballon d’Or 2024 rankings: pic.twitter.com/k16t7Ar58c
— george (@StokeyyG2) October 28, 2024
The Ballon d’Or ceremony this year had a lot of surprises in store for us. While many expected Vinicius Jr to take home the prize, Manchester City’s Rodri pipped him to the award. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer finished 25th in standings after a tremendous season with the Blues while Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka finished in the 16th place after helping his club go unbeaten in the entire Bundesliga season. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, whose hattrick in the final helped the club win the UEFA Europa League finished 14th in the standings while Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal broke into the top 10 with an eighth-placed finish.
The full ranking for the women’s Ballon d’Or 📊🌍 pic.twitter.com/J89wRkbPqa
— LiveScore (@livescore) October 28, 2024
On the women’s side of things, Chelsea full-back Lucy Bronze earned the 20th spot in the rankings after helping Barcelona win the quadruple last season. Her current teammate, Lauren James, sister of Chelsea men’s team captain Reece James, achieved a career-high 13th placed finish. Two-time winner, Alexia Putellas also made it into the top 10 with a 10th placed finish where as Portland Thorns’ Sophia Smith’s fourth-placed finish was the highest a non-Barcelona player achieved. Brazil’s Corinthians was the only non European or North American club with a representative in the top 30 and their forward, Gabi Portilho finished 18th in the rankings.
Highlights from the Ballon d’Or 2024 Ceremony
Natalie Portman 🤝 Luis Figo #ballondor pic.twitter.com/ixU1m0pLje
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
The ceremony kicked off with former Dutch great and 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit presenting the Kopa Trophy, the award to recognize the best U21 player of the year. FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal was named as the youngest recipient of the award. The next accolade marked a double for the Catalan club as FC Barcelona Femení were recognized as the Best Women’s Club of the year. Their rivals, Real Madrid were then recognized as the Best Men’s Club of the year.
Next up was the Gerd Muller Trophy, awarded to the best striker of the year and there was a tie between Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was announced as the winner of the Yachine Trophy, which recognizes the best goalkeeper of the year. The Socrates award, presented to the best humanitarian work by a footballer, was then awarded to Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso.
The Best Coaches of the Year were announced next with Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti taking the award on the men’s side while Chelsea legend Emma Hayes took the award on the women’s side for her efforts with both Chelsea and the USWNT. Hollywood actress and Angel City FC owner, Natalie Portman presented the Ballon d’Or Féminin to FC Barcelona Femení’s Aitana Bonmatí.
Looking Back: Ballon d’Or 2023 Winner Recap
The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony recognized the best footballers over the course of the 2022-23 footballing season. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi was award the Ballon d’Or at the previous year’s ceremony after helping his nation win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His eighth award made him the first player to win the accolade while playing for three different clubs, having won the previous two with FC Barcelona and PSG. Joining him on the podium were Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, then donning the colours of PSG.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin was won by the same person who won it this year, Aitana Bonmatí, marking her first ever win. She was awarded with the honour after helping her club to the Women’s UEFA Champions League in the 2022/23 season while also helping Spain win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She beat out Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and teammate Salma Paralluelo who finished second and third respectively.
In the other award categories, Jude Bellingham received the Kopa Trophy, while Emiliano Martínez took home the Yashin Trophy. Vinícius Júnior was honored with the Sócrates Award, and Erling Haaland won the Gerd Müller Trophy. Manchester City was named Men’s Club of the Year for the second consecutive year, and FC Barcelona was awarded the inaugural Women’s Club of the Year title.
