Argentina legend Lionel Messi has reacted to the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.
On Monday night, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was announced as the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The Spaniard finished ahead of the likes of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. Becoming the first midfielder since Luka Modric in 2018 to clinch the prestigious accolade.
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Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez received the Yashin Trophy and Lamine Yamal was named the winner of the Kopa Trophy.
Taking to social media after the ceremony, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi wrote: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominated ones for the Ballon d'Or 2024.
“Especially to Dibu, what a great, another award for the best goalkeeper in the world. And to Lautaro, to Scaloni and Garnacho.”
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Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or Feminin. Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes were the Coaches of the Year.
Speaking after winning the Ballon d’Or, Rodri said: “Thanks for being here again everyone, I want to thank those who voted for me. Today is a special day not just for me but for my family. First of all, I have to thank a very special person, my girlfriend Laura, today is our eighth anniversary. Without her, things would not be the same.
“My family, of course, the values they have taught me, showing me the right steps to take and helping me to become the man I am today.”
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He added: “I want to mention my teammates with whom I won the Euro title with, especially Dani Carvajal who suffered the same injury that I suffered. Lamine Yamal, I know you will win this award soon. This is a victory for Spanish football and many of my friends have written to me to say, 'FOOTBALL HAS WON TODAY!
“Lastly, I would like to tell you a story that led me here, when I was 17, I packed my suitcase to fulfil a dream. One day I cried to my father, it’s all over, I invested my life to get here and that was it. My father said, we came all the way here, let’s keep going and this is something that changed my mindset. I am a nomal kid with values, I know what a hard worker is, thank you very much.”
Topics: Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Football, Rodri, Emiliano Martinez
Marcus Chan