The prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony took place with drama surrounding the absence of Real Madrid delegates due to reports that Vinícius Júnior may not win the men’s award. Manchester City’s Rodri, who arrived on crutches, is a top contender. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí is favored to win the women’s award.
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player under 21. Emilíano Martínez of Aston Villa won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. Real Madrid won the men’s club of the year award, despite their absence, while Barcelona claimed the women’s club of the year prize.
The top 30 rankings for men and women were announced live, with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé tying for the Gerd Müller Trophy for top goalscorer. The women’s award saw Lindsey Horan leading the live ranking, followed by Mallory Swanson and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Despite the excitement of the awards, there was controversy over Real Madrid’s boycott of the event, with fans and experts criticizing their behavior as disrespectful. The event also included awards for coaches and clubs, with Leverkusen winning the men’s club of the year and Barcelona winning the women’s club of the year. The ceremony was filled with anticipation and surprises, showcasing the talent and achievements of the football world’s elite players and teams.
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