Aitana Bonmatí and Rodri win the women's and men's Ballon d'Ors awards

Spanish soccer had a great evening at the Ballon d’Or awards event, which honors the top players in both the men’s and women’s divisions each year.

During Monday’s presentation, Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí earned her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin, while Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City and Spain, received his first Ballon d’Or.

At the Paris ceremony, Spain was represented in a number of other honors, including the best player under 21 title, which went to the incredibly gifted youth Lamine Yamal.

Rodri had a fantastic 2024 and played a key role in Spain’s and Manchester City’s year-long victory.

Spain was declared winners at Euro 2024 this summer, and Manchester City won the Premier League for a record-breaking fourth time in a row in 2024.

After receiving the award, Rodri remarked, “Incredible night for me today.”

According to the English translation of the broadcast, the midfielder stated, “The light has risen now after all the hard work, after all the dark phases in my life, the dark times when I was working so hard to achieve those goals.”

Rodri said he won the prize because of his improvement in the latter third.

“I was a traditional midfielder but once I realized that if I want to get better, I have to do better in the last third – assists, goals – and that’s why in the last years my presence in that sense in terms of goals has been increased.”

The 28-year-old also expressed gratitude to his international and club teammates for their contributions to his success on an individual basis.

Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. of Real Madrid came in second and third, respectively, behind Rodri.

Real Madrid won another La Liga victory and a record-tying 15th Champions League title in 2024 thanks in part to Vinícius and Bellingham.

In addition to winning her second straight Ballon d’Or, Bonmatí was instrumental in Barcelona Femení’s triumph this year.

The midfield player helped Barcelona Femení win the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League, and Liga F, helping the team achieve its first-ever quadruple.

According to the English translation of the program, Bonmati commented, “I’m really thankful to be back here and win this award again,” after accepting the prize.

“But this is not an individual achievement, it is a group thing. I have a lot of luck to play with those amazing players that I play with everyday, it is because of them that I am the best player now.”

The award was given to Bonmatí in person by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman.

“Congratulations on a second win, it’s so extraordinary what you’ve achieved now two years in a row, and you are a hero to many of us out here,” Portman said before urging viewers to support and watch women’s soccer.

Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Graham Hansen, teammates of Barcelona Femení, were beaten to the prize by Bonmatí. Graham Hansen came in second, and Paralluelo came in third.

“Tonight it’s me who won it but it could have been Caroline or Salma as well,” Bonmatí continued.

Barcelona players kept winning awards, and Yamal, a teenager, won the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the top men’s football under-21 player.

The deft winger, who is only 17 years old, has been playing brilliantly for Barcelona in the past year and was instrumental in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024.

Yamal’s most recent triumph was during the epic Barcelona vs. Real Madrid match.

At barely 17 years and 106 days old, Yamal became the youngest goal scorer in El Clásico history during Saturday’s 4-0 victory for Barcelona.