Ballon d'Or

'I’d vote for Carvajal, and Vinicius too'

“Why would it hurt me? It was my moment, to enjoy with my family. The last thing I’d be thinking about is people who weren’t there, and didn’t want to participate,” Rodri said in an interview with COPE radio.

Five journos left Rodri out of top 10 for Ballon d’Or, three snubbed Vinicius

It was revealed that five of the 99 journalists who voted for this year’s Ballon d’Or left eventual winner Rodri out of their top 10 list while three journos did not have Vinicius Junior, who came second after the Spanish midfielder, in the top 10 of their ballot.

Vinicius not winning Ballon d’Or is injustice: Brazil coach Dorival

Brazil coach Dorival Junior said that it was an injustice that forward Vinicius Junior did not win the Ballon d’Or this year.

Ballon d'Or wins 'normal' for Barcelona star Bonmati

"Honestly I don't see it as extraordinary, even if some people do... when I was little I also looked on from the outside, watching from my house seeing Messi lift Ballons d'Or and thinking it was incredible. Once you are on the inside, you take it normally, naturally, although if I stop to think about it, it's something really big."

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or: Deserved or not?

Rodri becoming the first Manchester City player to win the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world on Monday did come as a surprise to many, and with ample reasons too as he pipped favourite Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid and Brazil to lift the most prestigious individual award in football.

Spanish press slam 'masquerade' of Real's Ballon d'Or boycott

European champions Real announced their decision to skip Monday night's gala ceremony in Paris just hours before it took place after apparently learning that their Brazilian striker Vinicius had not won the men's award.

No 'elite group' behind Rodri's Ballon d'Or win: Guardiola

"What can I say?," said the Spaniard. "First, to congratulate him and all his family and their friends, it's incredible news for him and for all of us."

List of winners at 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024, but Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony

'It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder'

While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard had won since Barcelona great Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain's "golden generation" that won the 2010 World Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Euros.

October 29, 2024
October 29, 2024

Aitana Bonmati wins second successive women's Ballon d'Or

The 26-year-old playmaker joins team-mate Alexia Putellas as the only women to win the Ballon d'Or twice, since the award's inauguration in 2018.

October 29, 2024
October 29, 2024

Rodri wins men's Ballon d'Or as Real Madrid boycott

Rodri, a first-time winner of the award, was instrumental in helping his team win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League trophy last season. He was also named best player at this year's European Championship after Spain lifted a record-extending fourth title.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

Real Madrid boycott Ballon d'Or ceremony

Vinicius was not among the nominees who paraded onto the stage at the Paris' Chatelet Theatre where the ceremony was held.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

Vinicius favourite for Ballon d'Or in post-Messi and Ronaldo era

The men's shortlist for the 2023/24 edition of the prestigious individual award is the first since 2003 to feature neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo who hoovered up the prize 13 times between them.

October 26, 2024
October 26, 2024

Vinicius Jr favourite to win first Ballon d'Or

Vinicius Jr's remarkable performances at Real Madrid have put the 24-year-old forward as the odds-on favourite to claim his first Ballon d'Or when the award for the best player in the world is announced in Paris on Monday.

September 9, 2024
September 9, 2024

Rodrygo 'upset' over Ballon d'Or shortlist omission

The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and registered nine assists in 51 appearances for the club last season.

September 5, 2024
September 5, 2024

Messi missing from Ballon d'Or nominees, Spanish stars dominate

Brazil forward Vinicius Junior is among the favourites and is one of six members of the Madrid team that won La Liga and the Champions League last season to be nominated.

June 9, 2024
June 9, 2024

Vinicius deserves Ballon d'Or, says Martinelli

After inspiring Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League success, Vinicius is gearing up to reclaim the Copa America from arch-rivals Argentina. In the absence of an injured Neymar, the onus will be on the 23-year-old to lead Brazil to continental glory and given his stellar form the Selecao are already dreaming of success.

January 31, 2024
January 31, 2024

No Ronaldo in Di Maria’s all-time best eleven of teammates   

Argentina forward Angel Di Maria has snubbed five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in his best eleven of players he has played with throughout his career when he named the lineup in an interview with TYC Sports yesterday. 

December 6, 2023
December 6, 2023

Messi named Time's 'Athlete of the Year'

Lionel Messi has been named Time magazine's "Athlete of the Year" for 2023 after a trailblazing season marked by an eighth Ballon d'Or award and his ground-breaking move to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.