Real drama as Spain reigns supreme

Spaniards Rodri and Bonmati are named winners of 2024 Ballon d'Or

PARIS — Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024, at a ceremony boycotted by Real Madrid.

The decision to award the prize for the world's best player to the midfielder came as a surprise, with Real's La Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior widely seen as the favorite.

Hours before the ceremony in Paris, the Spanish club announced that its delegation would not be in attendance at the Theatre du Chatelet because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius.