Golden Ball | Barça’s Golden Bath in Paris
Excitement, celebration and surprise. The most special evening of the year, which the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris hosted for the fourth year in a row as part of the 68th Ballon d’Or ceremony, had it all. The world woke up thinking it would be the day of Vinicius Jr, Aitana Bonmati and Lamin Yamal, and went to bed after midnight with a golden bath from Barça and La Masia.and surprise – and deserved – winner Rodrigo Hernandez, the second Spaniard in history to achieve this feat in the men’s category.
Two days after Barca’s 4-0 draw at the Bernabeu, Madrid suffered another blow. Although he won three awards – Best Men’s Club, Best Coach Ancelotti and the Gerd Müller Trophy as Mbappe’s top scorer, shared with Harry Kane, Vinicius was left without the Ballon d’Or, which seemed self-evident. A few hours earlier, they had learned that the Brazilian would not win and decided not to participate. No one from the club came to collect the awards.
Quite the contrary in the case of Barça, which continues to extend its glorious week and which was at home in the Chatelet. The most complete expedition of all, led by President Laporta, exciting throughout the event, recognition from the organization – a gala concert, again presented by Sandy Heribert and Didier Drogba – for the 125th anniversary, which he could boast for another year. , future and past, Paying tribute to Johan Cruyff, who gave the name to the new category “Best Coach” for men and women, presented by his son Jordi and Hristo Stoichkov.
First of many for Lamine
The first laureate of the evening was Lamin Yamal, who -eighth place in the Ballon d’Or – received the Kopa award from the hands of Ruud Gullit to the best player under 21 years old. The Barca winger dedicated it to “my father, my mother and my grandmother, who were always there; and to the staff of Barça and the national team, as well as coaches Luis de la Fuente, Xavi and now Hansi.” And he dared to end his speech, as Gavi had done two years ago: “Visit Barça and the capital 304“, in honor of Rockafonda.
And there, in the front rows, he was applauded especially proudly. his friends and teammates Pau Kubarsi – fifth on the Kop – and Dani Olmo – thirteenth place in the Ballon d’Or.
Lamin Yamal with the 2024 Copa trophy / @ballondor
The best team in the world
Immediately after this, Barça was awarded the title Best Women’s Club of the Seasonfor his historical poker -League, Champions, Cup and Super Cup, four out of four. Joan Laporta and Alexia Putellas were the first to arrive, but the captain, “as we said, the president,” called all her teammates present at the gala to come up on stage while the Barça anthem played. Aitana, Graham, Patri, Salma are the nominees, as are Torrejon, Pere Romeu, Javi Puig, Marc Vives and Mariona, who is now at Arsenal but is a key part of the team that won it all.
“It stands for commitment, freedom and equality,” Laporta said, “a source of pride for us and a gift for our 125th anniversary.” He also took advantage of the spotlights and microphones to also thank Hansi Flick for his work with the men’s team, “because we play good football, also in the classics, and we are again a club loved around the world.”
FC Barcelona, award for the best women’s team of the year at the Ballon d’Or gala / FC BARCELONA
Double podium and Aitana podium with Graham and Salma.
One of the highlights of the evening (no surprises here) was Aitana Bonmati, who won her second Ballon d’Or in a row. A flawless season that culminates in the ultimate accolade for an unstoppable footballer. And four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards for Barça after Alexia’s first two awards.
2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony / Golden Ball
Aitana once again amazed the world with a flawless speech in which she remembered all those who made this possible – teammates, staff, club, family, friends… – and once again declared teamwork: “Thanks also to Caro (Caroline Graham), who deserves to be here too, thanks for the connection we have on the right wing. for making me a better player. (…) It seems cruel and surprising to me that Barça have won four Ballon d’Ors in a row, two from Alexia and both from me.. “I owe everything to Barça, who gave me everything, and I hope to continue winning many more titles with the club of my life.”
Aitana got gold but Graham, silver and Salma, bronze. Another historic culé podium. Mariona finished in eighth place; Alexia, tenth; and Patri Guijarro, eleventh.
“Surprise” Rodrigo
And the most anticipated moment of the evening due to the “surprise” factor and the previous dispute with Vinicius and Madrid. For Rodrigo it was the Ballon d’Or. European Cup champion with Spain – MVP of the tournament and the Premier League, as well as the Club World Cup with City. (He scored his fifth goal for Barça at the Bernabeu).
“Today is a special day for me, my family and my country,” the midfielder said. “Without all my teammates, club, staff and national team, I would not have achieved this.” Rodri remembered Caravaillal due to his injury as “the man who is about to win, namely you, Lamin.” and other Spanish players who have not won it, such as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Casillas… “This is a great day for a midfielder figure” that has always been so underrated.
Rodri, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner / EFE/EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
And Jenny Hermoso’s excuse
Football is not just football. And Jenny Hermoso, who received the Socrates Award for her work against sexual violence in sports, sent a message that should resonate with everyone in attendance: “This award belongs not only to me, but to all my colleagues with whom I work in a field where equality is not always a fact.”
“We are fighting to leave a better place for new generations. I ask you all to continue to inspire, both on and off the field.” Let this serve as an example