At the Ballon d’Or gala on Monday evening, former Dortmund players Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland were also honored. Emiliano Martinez caused the biggest controversy
“Kopa Trophy”: Bellingham outshines competition
In addition to the evening’s main prizes, “France Football” once again awarded the “Kopa Trophy,” named after former Ballon d’Or winner Raymond Kopa, for the best player under 21 (deadline: July 31). Only former Ballon d’Or winners were eligible to vote.
After Kylian Mbappé (2018), Matthijs de Ligt (2019), Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022), the world’s best U-21 player of the year was honored for the fifth time this year: unsurprisingly, the favored ex-Dortmund player Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) prevailed over the competition due to his performance in the BVB jersey in the 2022/23 season.
Eden Hazard, who ended his active career in the summer, presented the award to Real’s new life insurance policy. The latter thanked his parents in particular, who were also on hand in Paris. Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, runner-up in the category, congratulated pal Bellingham in a video message.
Behind them in exactly that order were Pedri (FC Barcelona), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Gavi (FC Barcelona), Leipzig loanee Xavi, Alex Balde (FC Barcelona), Antonio Silva (Benfica Lisbon), Rasmus Höjlund (Atalanta, now Manchester United) and Elye Wahi (RC Lens).
“Yashin Trophy”: controversy surrounding Martinez award
The “Yashin Trophy”, named after former world-class goalkeeper Lev Yashin, awarded for only the fourth time, went to world champion Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) in quite a surprise – and caused the big controversy of the evening. When Martinez came on stage, there were clearly audible whistles and boos in Paris.
Martinez was surprised by his father, who presented him with the trophy. He had “dreamed of this day” as a “child. But probably not that he would face so much headwind in doing so. When scenes from the World Cup final against France (4:2 n.V.) were shown, there were more whistles. Presenter Didier Drogba even felt compelled to calm the crowd and call for the necessary fair play.
Behind Martinez in the places followed triple winner Ederson (ManCity), Europa League winner Bono (Sevilla FC, now Al-Hilal), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), national keeper Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona), André Onana (Inter Milan, now Manchester United), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb, now Fenerbahce), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal FC), Mike Maignan (AC Milan) and Brice Samba (RC Lens).
Previously, Alisson (2019), Gianluigi Donnarumma (2021) and Courtois (2022) had triumphed.
“Müller Trophy”: Haaland follows Lewandowski
The “Müller Trophy”, named after the legendary Gerd Müller, was awarded to ManCity goal scorer Erling Haaland on Monday evening. It goes to the player who scored the most goals for club and national team in the past season. In each of the first two awards, the then Bayern goal scorer Robert Lewandowski triumphed (64 goals in 2020/21, 57 goals in the 2021/22 season). This time, Haaland was no match for him in the triple season with 56 goals in 57 games.
“Socrates Award”: Vinicius Junior honored
The “Socrates Award” for special social commitment, presented for the second time, was awarded to Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian Real Madrid winger is committed to helping underprivileged children through the foundation he established. The charitable foundation, the “Instituto Vini Jr.”, promotes the development and education of disadvantaged children. Last year, Bavaria’s Sadio Mané was honored at the premiere of the “Socrates Award. “
“Men’s club of the year”: ManCity presented seven players
Awarded as “Men’s club of the year”, Manchester City, the triple winners provided a remarkable seven candidates among the 30 finalists at the Ballon d’Or: Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gündogan (now FC Barcelona), Erling Haaland, Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
“Women’s club of the year”: Barça awarded
The “Women’s club of the year” was unsurprisingly FC Barcelona, who had five players on the nomination list: winner Aitana, Patri, Maria Leon, Salma and former Wolfsburg player Fridolina Rolfö. A reward that is all the more logical because the Catalan women won the Champions League final against Wolfsburg (3:2). In addition, Barça had won the La Liga championship for the fourth time in a row – the eighth time overall.
