The 68th Ballon came with it’s Drama as late rumours made it clear Real Madrid Star Vinícius Junior wasn’t going to win the prestigious award. Junior won the champions League and the Laliga but since both individual and team achievements were counted, Rodri had an edge over him.
Allegedly In a supposed Ballon D’ Or List that was leaked showed Manchester City man Rodri garnering 421 votes and Vinícius getting 380. While Real Madrid was named the men’s club of the year, no one was on ground to receive the reward, a threat to the game we all love and the concept of sportsmanship.
The award night also called the gala night was the 68th since inception and witnessed the presence of past, present and Future generations of the beautiful game of football.
In attendance was 1995 winner and Ex president of Liberia, George Weah Oppong, 2x African player of the year Didier Drogba, Madrid Legend Luis Figo, Spanish Coach La Fuente, John Mikel Obi, Rafa Benitez and a host of others.
Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon D’or making it a Spainish affair at the top, Carlo Ancelloti was named Best Male Coach and Lamine Yamal secured the Kopa Trophy. Rodri’s win made sure the second to Fourth position was occupied by Real Madrid players which includes the likes of Vinícius Junior, Bellingham and Carvajal. Rodri becomes the second premiership player to win the award after Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
