19:06
28/10/2024
6 hours ago
What Rodri said after winning the Ballon d'Or
The 2024 Ballon d'Or went to Rodri, a player for Manchester City and the Spanish national team. The award was presented by legendary Liberian player, George Weah.
“I thank France Futbol and UEFA for the award and for being here once again. Also, I want to thank everyone who has voted for me and trusted me to give me this award. I know that today is a very special day, not only for me, but also for my family and for my country,” said Rodri, visibly moved.
In addition, he added a special thank you to his girlfriend Laura and her family, who “without them none of this would have been possible,” he stated. “I also don't want to forget my teammates. It's true that football is a collective sport and without them I wouldn't be here today,” he added.
“To Manchester City, to the entire staff. For me it is very special, without you I would not have been able to achieve it. I am in what, for me, is the best club in the world and thanks to them everything is much easier. Thanks to the Selection, to Luis for always trusting me. To my teammates that we win the Euro Cup,” the Spaniard continued.
“It is not just a victory for me, but for all of Spanish football,” he concluded.
Since 1960, a Spaniard has not won the prize. On that occasion, it was the forward Luis Suárez, who in those years wore the Barcelona shirt. The shortlist was completed by Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, all from Real Madrid.
18:30
28/10/2024
6 hours ago
Aitana Bonmatí: “I am very grateful”
Aitana Bonmatí, a player from Barcelona, won the top prize for the second consecutive time. The award was presented by actress Natalie Portman, a soccer fan.
“I am very grateful to be here again. Everything we do every year is not easy. I am part of a collective sport and I am surrounded by magnificent footballers both in Barca and in the national team and I can only give thanks because without them I would not I would be the soccer player that I am,” said the new winner.
18:11
28/10/2024
7 hours ago
Emma Hayes and Carlo Ancelotti, the best coaches
The award for best coach of a women's club or team went to Emma Hayes, from the England team, from Chelsea and also from the United States. Meanwhile, the male award was Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid.
Ancelotti, who beat Lionel Scaloni in his shortlist, was not present to receive the award due to Real Madrid's decision not to send anyone from the delegation.
18:00
28/10/2024
7 hours ago
Jennifer Hermoso, winner of the Socrates Prize
The Socrates Award for the soccer player most committed to social causes went to the Spanish Jennifer Hermoso.
“This award means a lot to me. It makes me even more aware of the responsibility that all athletes have both on and off the field,” said Hermoso.
And she added: “And I speak in plural because this award is not only mine, but also that of all my colleagues with whom I share a field where equality is not always a fact. That is why we all work day by day, to leave women's football in a great place for the new generations.”
“Then, she remembered that a girl told her that, recently, a girl told her that she wanted to be a soccer player like her, and she promised to continue working because “that girl, like all women, deserves women's soccer free of prejudice and free of gender violence. It is for her and for all women that I will not stop fighting, being brave,” she stressed.
“This award goes to each and every one of us,” concluded the soccer player.
17:50
28/10/2024
7 hours ago
“I never thought I would win the best goalkeeper award twice in a row”
“I come from a small place, I always remember it, and that is what motivates me to continue wanting to grow. Obsessed with improving, with achieving group things. For me, the individual always comes after the group. So, thank you all,” El Dibu Martínez began his speech, as the brand new winner of the award for the best goalkeeper in the world.
And he added: “I never thought I would win the best goalkeeper award twice in a row. I share it with my family, my friends and the fans.”
“Sometimes on the field you behave however you want, I am calm off the field, I am a brother, a husband, I do everything I can to help my team and the national team. To be fair, I don't see myself as the best. There are goalkeepers who are very good, what matters to me is the team, we work with the coaches to improve every day,” he concluded.
Lautaro Martínez, who presented him with the award, added: “Emiliano is special because he is a winner and that is important, he helps the younger ones, the boys who come to train with us. And then, just nice words for him: everything he does is because he wants to win and it doesn't go beyond that.”
17:47
28/10/2024
7 hours ago
El Dibu Martinez, the best goalkeeper
Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez once again won the Yashin award for best goalkeeper of the season. The trophy was presented to him by Lautaro Martínez, a teammate on the Argentine National Team.
“It is an honor to be here again, always grateful to my teammates on the national team and Aston Villa, today I am lucky to be with my goalkeeping coaches, I come from a small place and I want to continue achieving awards,” said El Dibu.
