Spaniards Rodri and Bonmatí win the Ballon d'Or while Real Madrid declines the ceremony

PARIS (AP) — Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí won the men's and women's Ballon d'Or on Monday as the world's best soccer players, while Real Madrid turned down the star-studded ceremony in Paris in apparent protest.

Rodri, 28, won the prestigious award for the first time after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and being a key player in Spain's triumph at the European Championships.

He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi of Argentina and beat Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior to second place, a result that greatly displeased the Spanish club. Madrid and its players stayed away from the ceremony and vented their feelings on social media afterwards.

Rodri showed his emotions as his name was read out by former winner George Weah and he put his hands in front of his face.

“Incredible night for me,” said Rodri, who is out for the season with an ACL injury last month and arrived at the ceremony on crutches. “One of my most important things is that I always try to improve every game.”

Despite being known as a hard-working and selfless player despite his skills, Rodri was quick to deflect the praise onto others.

“I just want to thank the people again for recognizing my value in the game,” he said. “As a child I never thought about winning the Ballon d'Or, but in recent years I have managed to play at the highest level.”

The 26-year-old Bonmatí retained her award after helping Barcelona win the Spanish championship, Spanish Cup and Champions League. Bonmatí has ​​won two titles alongside Barca teammate Alexia Putellas since the Women's Cup was first awarded in 2018. She beat teammates Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway and Salma Paralluelo of Spain as Barcelona scored a one-two.

“It's a pleasure to be here again,” said Bonmatí, who accepted the award from Oscar winner Natalie Portman. “Thank you to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better soccer player every year.”

Although attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham came third and Dani Carvajal came fourth in the voting and coach Carlo Ancelotti won the Coach of the Year award, no one from Madrid attended the gala in central Paris.

Ancelotti instead posted a message on

“I will do it ten times if necessary,” Vinicius wrote in Portuguese. “You’re not ready.”

Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga made it clear what he thought of the vote, calling it “football politics.”

“My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise,” the France international wrote on X alongside a photo of him and Vinicius celebrating together. “I love you, my brother.”

Former Madrid star Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, posted a supportive message in French on Instagram with the words “Trop Fort” (“Too strong”).

Neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo – winners of the prestigious individual award a total of 13 times – were in the running for the prize this year – the first time since 2003.

Although Rodri is neither a standout player nor a prolific goalscorer like Messi and Ronaldo, he has had a huge impact on City's team with his ability to protect the defense and distribute passes cleanly from the back.

“I try to be a leader and improve every day from the best,” Rodri said.

With him, City looked unbeatable at times, while his excellent technical ability allowed him to fit seamlessly into the fast-passing style that was so effective for Spain at Euro 2024. He is the first City player to win this award.

“He is a player without ego whose level of performance has been exceptional over a very long period of time,” said City football director Txiki Begiristain. “The consistency he has shown is the result of hard work and dedication.”

Bonmatí scored 19 goals for Barca for the second consecutive season and has scored five goals in five games for Spain this year, taking her international tally to 26.

The Ballon d'Or was created by France Football magazine and has been awarded to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. It is chosen by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.

Each journalist, one per country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points assigned to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points. Unlike FIFA's annual awards for the best players, fans are not part of the voting system.

Yamal's trophy and other awards

On a good night for the Spanish and Barca players, teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal – the youngest ever goalscorer at a European Championship – won the Kopa award for best under-21 player and Barca won the best women's team award.

In absentia, Real Madrid was voted the best men's team.

Former PSG striker Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared the Gerd Müller award for most club and country goals last season with 52. Mbappé moved to Madrid in the off-season.

Argentine penalty kick specialist Emiliano Martínez received the Lev Yashin Award for best goalkeeper.

Ancelotti and Olympic champion coach Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff Prize for best men's and women's coach.

Spanish striker Jenni Hermoso, who fought against sexism in Spanish football after being kissed on the lips by the federation's former president Luis Rubiales at last year's Women's World Cup final, has accepted the Socrates Prize for humanitarian work.

A special award was presented by France Football to the wife and son of the late German star player Franz Beckenbauer.

___

AP Sportswriters Tales Azzoni and Steve Douglas contributed to this report.

___

AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer