Manchester City midfielder *Rodri was awarded the men's Ballon d'Or* after helping Spain win Euro 2024, but Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in Paris. 🏅 The decision to award the prize for the world's best player to Rodri came as a surprise, with *Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior widely seen as the favourite* after helping the Spanish giants win the Champions League and La Liga. ⚽ The *European champions defended their decision to skip the event* , telling AFP that _"it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."_ Barcelona star *Aitana Bonmati won her second successive women's Ballon d'Or* and and Lamine Yamal was awarded the Raymond Kopa trophy for best young player.