Spanish football obtained unprecedented recognition this Monday night by winning the Ballon d’Or in both the men’s and women’s categories. Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí were crowned at the Parisian gala at the Châtelet theatre.
The party, however, was overshadowed by the clamorous protest from Real Madrid, whose large delegation canceled its planned trip to the French capital upon learning that Vinícius, who seemed the favorite, would not ultimately obtain the trophy.
The Manchester City midfielder, rewarded for his titles with his team and the national team, is the second Spaniard to win the award.
The first was Luis Suárez, in the distant 1960. Bonmatí repeated consecutive victories and equaled his teammate Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d’Or in its 2021 and 2022 editions.
Barça’s international dominance in women’s football once again became evident, while the Kopa award for best young player, awarded to Lamine Yamal, – after Gavi and Pedri won it in 2022 and 2021 – was further proof of the virtuoso. model of the Masia.
Rodri
Balance made a player
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, Rodribecame this Monday night the second Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or after Luis Suárez did so in 1960. The Manchester City player, 28 years old, a solid and elegant footballer, an example of balance, won by surprise to the Brazilian Vinícius, considered the great favorite, until the last day, for the 68th edition of the award.
The winner of the night, who arrived on crutches due to his serious knee injury, received the reward for his titles with Pep Guardiola’s team (Premier, Club World Cup and European Super Cup) and for winning the European Championship with his teammates. the red one.
The Spanish Rodri celebrates his award, tonight in Paris
The Madrid midfielder, who trained at Villarreal and Atlético, was chosen among four finalists that included Vinícius, Dani Carvajal and Bellingham. In his words of gratitude, in addition to referring to his partner, Laura Iglesias, his family and City, Rodri said that the award also has a collective character, recognizing many Spanish footballers who should have received the award, such as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets or Iker Casillas. He also had some kind words for Carvajal, who suffers the same injury as him.
Rodri, who expressed himself interchangeably in English and Spanish, acknowledged that he went through difficult moments in his career, like when he went to Villarreal. “At 17 years old I packed my suitcase to achieve a dream; “I never thought this would happen,” he said. One day I said enough, I called my father crying, thinking that this was over, but he told me that if we had gotten this far we weren’t going to throw in the towel. This says that a normal boy can reach the top.”
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Aitana Bonmatí
The star that does not go out
From star to star. Of the Black Swan to the blaugrana swan. A brilliant Hollywood actress like Natalie Portman, winner of the Oscar in 2011, once again elevated Aitana Bonmatí, a star in the field whose shine does not fade.
The Catalan repeated the title, equaled Alexia Putellas’ two Ballon d’Or awards and topped a podium entirely for Barcelona. Second was Caroline Graham Hansen and third was Salma Paralluelo. For Bonmatí, this reflects the great team that Barça has: “This cannot be achieved alone.” “I took it, but it could be any of them. Each one does a great job in the field. Thank you all because it belongs to the team,” he shared the success.
On May 25, the final in Bilbao was tied. It had already been an hour, and Barça, with the stands in their favor, could not beat Lyon, until number 14 appeared to begin to decide and decide the third Women’s Champions League for Barça.
Blaugrana Aitana Bonmatí has triumphed for the second time in the French capital
Because if there is one quality that stands out above all in Aitana, it is her winning character. That’s how it’s been all his life. And that is what has motivated her to remain in the elite. “What leads me to be here and the team to win big titles is the mentality. “I’m going to want to continue fighting and winning more titles,” he promised.
At 26 years old, no one can argue with her after a packed season, which borders on perfection (24 goals). With Barça he won the Super Cup, the League, the Cup and the Champions League. With Spain he won the Nations League and came close to the Olympic medal. But he returned to Paris, to the Châtelet theater, to get rid of that thorn. Of the six women’s Ballon d’Or awards, four coincide in the Barça locker room. Alexia collected two awards (2021 and 2022) and now does the Bonmatí double. “I find it amazing. “Barça is a unique club.”
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