Aitana and Rodrigo both win Ballon d'Or with a historic double for Spanish football

Spanish football is still living in a golden age. The Ballon d'Or Gala held annually by the prestigious French magazine ‘France Football’ certified this fact once again at the event held on the evening of 28 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

The international midfielder Aitana Bomnatí has been chosen as the best player in the world 2024. The FC Barcelona player and national team stalwart has now won her second consecutive award after winning it last year, the fourth in a row for the Spanish women's national team after the two previously won by Alexia Putellas. The Spanish attacker was also nominated alongside internationals Salma Paralluelo, Mariona Caldentey and Patri Guijarro.

Aitana has won this season's Nations League with Spain, with whom she also reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games also held in the French capital. The player from Sant Pere de Ribes has also won her national League, Cup and Super Cup titles as well as the Champions League with her club.

But the finishing touch, never better said, came with the last award of the night. After several years of being the metronome of the Spanish midfield, champion of the Nations League and the last European Championships. He was named the best player in both competitions, and has won numerous other titles with his club (Manchester City), not to mention, being an absolutely key player for everyone he plays for, Rodrigo Hernandez has his name written in gold in the French capital.

Rodri has surpassed his competitors in the voting table and is, as of tonight, the second Spanish Ballon d'Or after Luis Suárez Miramontes in 1960.

International players Dani Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams also made the final list of nominees, as well as Unai Simón for best goalkeeper. All of them under the watchful eye of national coach Luis de la Fuente, who was also on the shortlist as a candidate for best coach in 2024.

The gala brought Spain a number of other awards. The Kopa Trophy, which rewards the best player in the world under 21 years of age, also came home to Spain. Lamine Yamal takes this individual title in Paris after winning the European Championships this summer in Germany and for exploding as a footballing superstar onto the world scene. His talent, maturity, skills and quality have earned him this award at just 17 years of age, an award for which Pau Cubarsí was also nominated.

The Barça winger was chosen by a jury made up exclusively of Ballon d'Or winners.

In addition, Jennifer Hermoso received the Socrates Award, which recognises the work of footballers committed to social and humanitarian causes. The international player received the distinction for her role in the fight for women's rights in football.

In the club section, Real Madrid were recognised after their excellent season (champions of La Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup, as well as winning the European Super Cup last summer) and FC Barcelona also won the trophy in the women's category after once again shining in all competitions.

As Elisabeth Taylor said, ‘The light of Paris is only comparable to the brilliance of the diamond’. And the diamonds that shone brightest on this Parisian night are wearing Spanish red shirts and blue shorts.

PHOTO: Courtesy of UEFA