With Rodri stealing the headlines at the 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony, it was easy to overlook a remarkable achievement by Barcelona’s superstars Aitana Bonmati, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Salma Paralluelo. These three accomplished something the Catalan club hadn’t achieved since 2010.
That year, Lionel Messi claimed the Ballon d’Or, with his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi finishing second and third.
It was a complete sweep of the podium, which showed just how much Barcelona dominated world football back then. Well, the same cannot be said about its men’s team in 2024, yet. But the women’s team is well and truly on the top.
FCB Femini this year
FC Barcelona is the greatest football club pic.twitter.com/wyIg2GdiGQ— ArgentineCuler (@FCB_Argentine) October 28, 2024
Having won the treble in 2023/24, Barcelona’s players dominated Spain, and Europe. They won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
There was no question as to who would win the Ballon d’Or, as Bonmati stood tall for the second year in a row. On Instagram, she wrote,
“I consider myself privileged to be surrounded by great football players and professionals who allow me to evolve and become better every day.”
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In 58 matches across all competitions, Bonmati scored 26 goals and provided 20 assists — staggering numbers that, combined with her trophy haul, made her a clear favorite for the award.
Her teammates, Hansen and Paralluelo, were also among the best in the world and truly deserved to share the spotlight with Bonmati. Hansen finished with 34 goals and 28 assists in 47 outings, securing second place, while Paralluelo contributed 40 goals and 13 assists in 54 matches.
Barcelona claimed the top three spots on the women’s podium, and the men’s was close to a similar finish for Real Madrid. Had Rodri not won the Ballon d’Or, it would have been Vinicius Jr. in first, Jude Bellingham in second, and Dani Carvajal in third.
