There we have it. After a surprisingly controversial day, Rodri has been named the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.
The Manchester City midfielder claimed the prize for the first time and became the first Premier League player to triumph in the Ballon d'Or since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Following an exceptional 2023/24 campaign in which he won the Premier League and Euro 2024, the 28-year-old beat Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to the award.
However, the evening wasn't without some drama. Reports had emerged earlier on Monday that claimed Madrid's Vinicius and the club's other representatives wouldn't attend the ceremony after suspecting that Rodri would be crowned champion. Said reports turned out to be true.
Unsurprisingly, the news ruffled a few feathers online.
Madrid's intel was accurate as Rodri became the first midfielder to win the award since Luka Modric in 2018. As much as their was significant outrage from certain corners, there were plenty who felt Rodri was a worthy winner.
The Man City ace enjoyed a truly remarkable 2023/24 campaign and few can argue against the Spaniard being the world's best midfielder.
Of course, the Ballon d'Or wasn't the only award dished out at the ceremony in Paris.
The Ballon d'Or Femenin was handed to Aitana Bonmati for a second successive year after her sensational season with Barcelona. The midfielder was the significant favourite for the prize and equalled team-mate Alexia Putellas' record of two victories.
La Blaugrana's men's side had another victor in the form of Lamine Yamal as he scooped the Kopa Trophy for best young player, while Emiliano Martinez picked up the Yashin Trophy for leading goalkeeper for the second year in a row.
And there was time for Harry Kane to grab an honour of his own, winning the Gerd Muller Trophy for the most goals scored last season. Kylian Mbappe produced the same number and also won, but the Frenchman was on strict orders from his club not to attend the ceremony.
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