Ballon d’Or 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Rodri crowned winner as Real Madrid BOYCOTT show after Vinicius Jr SNUB – latest updates

Real Madrid 'trolled'

Hollywood icon Natalie Portman trolled Real Madrid with a cheeky subtle gesture as she posed for photos with Barcelona stars at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi posed on the red carpet with Oscar-winning actress Portman.

The Barca stars were all smiles alongside the Star Wars legend, who even dropped a savage dig at Real.

The 43-year-old could not resist the fun and held up four fingers to the cameras.

That appeared to be a thinly-veiled reference to the weekend when the Blaugrana smashed Real 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Olmo, Yamal and Cubarsi burst into laughter when they realised what the Black Swan star had done.

Richarlison slams Ballon d'Or result

Tottenham star Richarlison slammed “embarrassing” Ballon d’Or chiefs for snubbing Real Madrid superstar and Brazil team-mate Vinicius Jr, claiming the “only person who lost is football".

All of us who live football eagerly await the individual awards each season.

Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win an award for the best in the world after so long.

Unfortunately, for reasons that no one can understand, the award did not come. And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best.

But Vini not winning the Ballon d'Or was embarrassing, and the only one who lost today was football.

I remember Vini saying that his dream was to see the whole of Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today!

You are a giant and the best in the world, kid! And no trophy will change that. Keep going and never shut up! We're together.”

Richarlison

RICH PICKING

Richarlison slams 'embarrassing' Ballon d'Or decision and says 'football lost'

Guardiola on Vinicius

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims that Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr would have deserved to win the Ballon d'Or just like Erling Haaland did last year.

If Vini would have won the Ballon d'Or, it would have been more than well deserved!

Like last season with Erling Haaland... and he didn't win!

Erling was there, he was happy, and congratulated [Lionel] Messi and OK, let's try to do next season!

Pep Guardiola

Vinicius back in training

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has returned to training with his team after the Ballon d'Or drama.

Real refused to send representation to Paris on Monday after it became clear Vinicius wouldn't be winning the prestigious award.

The forward, though, promised he will come back better than ever and his new mission kicked off during training with Los Blancos.

The Brazil international was joined by star team-mates, such as Luka Modric and Kylian Mbappe.

'Finally not underrated'

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan declared Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is officially no longer "underrated.

From today on he is finally not 'underrated' anymore. Congratulations to my teammate Rodri on wining the Ballon d'Or!

For me this is very well deserved! I'm especially happy that someone on a defensive position is winning this title and not always just the offensive players!

Rodri is the perfect midfielder and there's no one that plays his position better than he does - there are so many clubs in Europe that are looking for a world class holding midfielder, but in the end there's only him!

What a development in recent years!

Ilkay Gundogan

Vinicius issues another message

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was considered the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday.

However, Vinicius was ranked second behind eventual winner and Manchester City star Rodri.

That led to Real refusing to send any representation to the ceremony as they felt they were "disrespected".

Vinicius, though, took to Instagram and issued a message of solidarity as he shared a team photo of Los Blancos with a caption reading: "Together".

George Weah revelation

Former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah revealed which Premier League team he supports.

Weah was present at last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony having won the award himself in 1995.

The former striker had a glittering career that saw him win the league at both AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

While the 58-year-old also ventured into the Premier League with spells at both Chelsea and Manchester City during the twilight of his playing days.

But despite representing two Prem sides, and even winning the FA Cup with the Blues, Weah supports a completely different side in England's top flight.

The 75-time Liberia international revealed that he's actually a Tottenham fan.

That's [Harry Kane] one of the players that I love. I'm a fan of Mr Kane.

Well, he played for my team. I'm a very big fan, because I believe that he's a very strong and very clever striker.

And I support Tottenham, since I was a kid. And I love him.

George Weah

GEOR BLIMEY

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Emi Martinez booed

Aston Villa star Emi Martinez and his wife were mercilessly booed as they arrived at the Ballon d'Or.

But Martinez had the last laugh as he was handed the Yashin Trophy for the second year in a row.

The goalkeeper is hated by French fans following the 2022 World Cup final as he put in a superb performance, played his genius mind games in the penalty shootout and celebrated provocatively after winning the Golden Glove trophy.

The Argentina international, decked out in a black tuxedo, headed down the red carpet holding hands with his glamorous partner Mandinha, who opted for a flowing red number.

However, the boos were clear to hear the 32-year-old gave a brief thumbs-up - but whether that was genuine or a sarcastic response to someone out of shot was uncertain.

Why Vinicius didn't win

Ballon d'Or chief Vincent Garcia has explained why Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr missed out on the award.

Garcia believes the success of Vinicius' team-mates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal may have cost the Brazilian.

Obviously, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, that took away some points from him.

This also sums up Real Madrid's season, which took between three and four players, and the judges shared their decisions with them, which benefited Rodri.

Vincent Garcia

REAL ISSUE

Ballon d'Or chief explains why Vini Jr didn't win as he misses out on huge bonus

Pep's message to Real

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola addressed Real Madrid's decision not to attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony after it become evident that Vinicius Jr wouldn't win.

It's up to them. If they want to congratulate, that's fine. If not, that's fine as well. At Manchester City, we are not here to judge other clubs on what they decide they have to do.

Last season for example, Erling [Haaland] won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals. I said to him, 'Just being there, you have to be so happy'. I said the same to Rodri. If you are in the first two, three or four, it's exceptional. Last season, Erling should win, yes. Should [Lionel] Messi have won? Yes. It doesn't matter.

You and your teammates have done something amazing. Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It's not an elite group, it's journalists who vote. Rodri made an incredible speech, he spoke about family and Spanish football. In the last decade, Spanish football has made such a difference, won a World Cup, Euros, and weren't able to win this award.

Their importance in the last 10 or 15 years has been so important. I remember once we nominated three players from La Masia, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta couldn't beat Messi, he was a monster. Only [Cristiano] Ronaldo could.

Pep Guardiola

Pep praises Rodri

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised Rodri after winning the Men's Ballon d'Or.

Guardiola also hinted he will still be at the Etihad next season when the midfielder is expected to come back from a devastating knee injury.

All Manchester City, our fans, we are so proud of him.

We could never have imagined this years ago, that one [City] player could receive this prestigious award.

We are so delighted to share it with him and hopefully, it can give him energy to recover well for next season and be with us again.

Pep Guardiola

Women's Ballon d'Or rankings

1st Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
2nd Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway)
3rd Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
4th Sophia Smith (USA)
5th Lindsey Horan (USA)
6th Mallory Swanson (USA)
7th Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France)
8th Mariona Caldentey (Spain)
9th Trinity Rodman (USA)
10th Alexia Putellas (Spain)
11th Patricia Guijarro (Spain)
12th Barbra Banda (Zambia)
13th Lauren James (England)
14th Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
15th Khadija Shaw (Jamaica)
16th Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi)
17th Alyssa Naeher (USA)
18th Gabi Portilho (Brazil)
19th Giulia Gwinn (Germany)
20th Lucy Bronze (England)
21st Mayra Ramirez (Colombia)
22nd Glodis Viggosdottir (Iceland)
23rd Tarciane (Brazil)
24th Lea Schuller (Germany)
25th Sjoeke Nusken (Germany)
26th Yui Hasegawa (Japan)
27th Manuela Giugliano (Italy)
28th Lauren Hemp (England)
29th Ewa Pajor (Poland)
30th Grace Geyoro (France)

Ballon d'Or detailed rankings

1 Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)

2 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)

3 Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)

4 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid/Spain)

5 Erling Haaland (Man City/Norway)

6 Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/France)

7 Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Argentina)

8 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)

9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)

10 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)

12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)

13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)

14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)

15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)

16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)

17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)

18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)

19 Martin Odegaard (Arsenal/Norway)

20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)

21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)

22 Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid/Germany)

23 Ruben Dias (Man City/Portugal)

24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)

25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)

26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)

27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)

28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)

=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)

=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)

Hitting back

Vincent Garcia of the Ballon d’Or has spoken out following Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid’s snub.

Garcia said: “Obviously, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, that took away some points from him.

“This also sums up Real Madrid’s season, which took between three and four players and the judges shared their decisions between them, which benefited Rodri.”

Dan the man

Despite Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or snub amid Vinicius Jr’s second-place finish – Dani Carvajal did congratulate winner Rodri.

Rodri revealed: “I received a call from Dani Carvajal who was very happy for me.

“I wanted to remember him because I think he also deserved it. He has similar values to mine, of teamwork, of loving a club and of giving everything.

“We share many things, we have been brought together more by the injury.”

Glitz and glam d’or

Football’s biggest stars arrived in style at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night – apart from those from Real Madrid.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, 28, was pictured on crutches as he made his way down the red card with partner Laura Iglesias.

Bayern Munich and England forward Harry Kane, one of 30 players nominated for the men’s award, was in attendance as he wore a suit and bow-tie for the occasion.

He was eventually named tenth best player in the world and picked up the Gerd Muller Award alongside Kylian Mbappe for the top striker in world football after scoring 52 goals last season.

Barcelona and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal was another snapped arriving ahead of picking up the Kopa Trophy for Best Young Player.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo came third in that category after his stunning breakthrough season, with Real Madrid’s Arda Guler named runner up.

Hummdinger

Mats Hummels went public with his stunning new girlfriend at last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The Germany defender was dressed to impress in a black tuxedo and was pictured arriving with gorgeous model Nicola Cavanis.

Hummels, 35, and the beauty ten years his junior were seen holding hands as they hit the red carpet.

Nicola stunned in a figure-hugging pale dress and was all smiles with her new man.

It was the first time they had been seen together in public after several reports in the German press that they were dating.

Nicola, who started her career as a model as a teenager, shot to fame in her homeland after starring in a Nivea advert in 2021.

HUMMDINGER

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The Real deal

As a result of Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or, Vinicius Jr missed out on a cash reward from Real.

The winger would have been handed a bonus of £833,000 from his club if he had won the award.

Vinicius Jr would have also been the first Brazilian to lay his hands on the individual trophy since 2007, when Kaka won it.

May the four-ce be with you

Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi posed on the red carpet with Star Wars star Natalia Portman.

The footballers were all smiles alongside Portman, who even dropped a savage dig at Barca's arch-rivals.

Portman, 43, could not resist the fun and held up four fingers to the cameras.

That appeared to be a thinly-veiled reference to the weekend when Barca smashed Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

Threesy going

Here’s the Ballon d’Or’s top three finalists.

Real Madrid ace Dani Carvajal finishes fourth with team-mates Vinicius Jr second and England star Jude Bellingham third.

Rodri wins the award, while team-mate Erling Haaland makes it to fifth place.

Geor blimey

Former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah has revealed which Premier League team he supports.

Weah, 58, was present at last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony having won the award himself in 1995.

He told the crowd at the Ballon d'Or ceremony that he grew up supporting Spurs, and explained that Harry Kane is one of his favourite players these days thanks to his time in north London.

He said: "That's [Harry Kane] one of the players that I love. I'm a fan of Mr. Kane.

"Well, he played for my team. I'm a very big fan, because I believe that he's a very strong and very clever striker.

"And I support Tottenham, since I was a kid. And I love him."

Ballon War

Vinicius Jr broke his silence after missing out on the Ballon d’Or.

The Real Madrid star was one of the favourites to land the prize but finished runner-up to Manchester City’s Rodri.

Vinicius did not attend the awards ceremony as Real Madrid boycotted the event.

But he broke his silence after Rodri collected his trophy, sending a warning to the organisers.

He wrote on social media: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”