Frank Christian
Rodri Hernández from Manchester City has clinched the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or, narrowly surpassing Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid by just 41 points, igniting discussions across the football community.
This victory marks a historic moment as Rodri becomes the first Spanish winner of the esteemed award since Luis Suarez Miramontes in 1960, earning recognition from fans and critics alike. Rodri accumulated 1,170 points against Vinicius’ 1,129 points in a tightly contested voting process.
The vote included 100 journalists, each representing leading football nations; however, only 99 participated as Syria’s journalist did not cast a ballot. Voters ranked their top choices, awarding their top pick 15 points, leading to a competitive finish that positioned Rodri at the pinnacle of international football this year.
Surprises and Omissons
A total of 49 journalists awarded Rodri the maximum score of 15 points, including those from key football nations like England, Germany, Portugal, and Italy.
Vinicius, who finished in second place, received his highest support from 35 countries, including Spain, Brazil, and France. Interestingly, despite his stellar performance, he fell short of making the top 10 in votes from journalists in Namibia, El Salvador, and Finland, which raised eyebrows.
Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid took third place, securing five top votes from nations such as Georgia, Namibia, and El Salvador. His impressive rise in the ranks reflects his growing prominence in European football.
The presence of Madrid players was notable in the top rankings, with his teammates Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos also featuring in the top 10, underscoring Spain’s influence on the global football scene.
Erling Haaland from Manchester City placed fifth, with Kylian Mbappe, now in Real Madrid, taking sixth. Mbappe garnered only a single first-place vote from the Ivory Coast journalist.
Notably, Ademola Lookman from Atalanta also received a lone first-place vote, representing Nigeria.
Rodri is our 2024 Ballon d’Or!
Find out more about the 2024 voting details! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/Jl8zFNhgll
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) November 9, 2024
Players and Their Votes
Beyond the top five, several players made notable advancements. Jude Bellingham from England climbed 15 positions to land in third, while Lautaro Martinez moved up 13 spots to seventh place.
England showcased strength with three players in the top 15, including Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane.
Players like Florian Wirtz and Ademola Lookman also highlighted the rankings, representing the Bundesliga and Serie A with impressive performances this season.
Interestingly, some prominent names from the initial 30-player shortlist did not receive a single vote.
Artem Dovbik, who led La Liga’s scoring, and Mats Hummels, who reached the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, were both overlooked in a year marked by fierce competition among elite players.
