Rodri Hernandez, the Manchester City midfielder, has been named the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or winner.

The Spanish deep-lying playmaker beat Real Madrid’s trio of Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal to claim his first-ever Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France, on Monday.

Rodri was a vital cog in Manchester City’s steamrolling of teams en route to the fourth consecutive league title and FA Cup triumph. He also holds the astonishing record of featuring 74 straight games without a loss. He was instrumental in Spain’s victory at the 2024 European Championships. The 28-year-old was also named player of the tournament.

The 28-year-old became the first player in the English Premier League (EPL) to win the prize since Cristiano Ronaldo clinched the award in 2008.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman ranked 14th in the men’s Ballon d’Or list.

In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona’s midfielder, won the Ballon d’Or Femeni. The victory was her second consecutive Golden Ball prize.

Lamine Yamal claimed the Kopa Trophy, the award for best-performing player under the age of 21.

The 17-year-old beat off competition from Arda Guler and Pau Curbasi to claim the award.

Emiliano Martinez won the best goalkeeper award while finishing 18th in this year’s Ballon d’Or.

• Men’s Ballon d’Or: Rodri
• Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati
• Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal
• Yashin Trophy: Emiliano Martinez
• Best Striker of the Year: Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe
• Best Men’s Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
• Best Women’s Coach: Emma Hayes
• Best Club: Real Madrid
• Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femeni
• Socrates Trophy: Jennifer Hermoso

Erik ten Hag has been dismissed as manager of Manchester United, the club confirmed Monday.

The decision came in the wake of a 1-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United, which marked the end of the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford.

Club statement: Erik ten Hag.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 28, 2024

Under Ten Hag’s leadership, United struggled in the early stages of the 2024–25 season, managing just three wins from nine league games.

The team’s form in all competitions also faltered, with only four victories in 14 matches, leaving them in 14th place in the Premier League table, a troubling seven points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots.

Manchester United are likely to turn to club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy to guide the team on an interim basis following the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy, who was brought in during the offseason to support Ten Hag, will assume leadership while the remaining coaching staff maintains their roles.

Ten Hag’s tenure began with high expectations after he took over in 2022, signing a contract that was recently extended by one year this past July, pushing his commitment through 2025.

His previous achievements with the club included an FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, but after United’s disappointing eighth-place finish last season—their lowest since 1990—a summer review was conducted.

United’s decision-makers, including CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox, ultimately chose to retain Ten Hag.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2025 U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nigeria defeated Niger Republic 3-1 in the semi-final of the ongoing WAFU B U-20 championship on Sunday night in Lome, Togo.

The team had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to return from a goal down and reverse fortune in the explosive encounter at the Stade Kegue.

Niger Republic stunned the Eagles when they scored first within the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Nigeria dug in, however, and restrained their free-attacking opponent’s onslaught in the opening 30 minutes. Then Clinton Jephta equalised for the Eagles in the 35th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box.

Jephta scored his second goal of the game and heaved Nigeria ahead immediately after the second half started.

Shortly, Olalekan Alonge cushioned the victory for the team with a well-taken goal later in the game.

The Eagles will face Ghana in the final of the WAFU B U-20 championship on Wednesday.

The WAFU B U20 Championship serves as the qualifiers for the 2025 U20 AFCON, and only the finalists book the tickets.

Next year’s U20 AFCON will also be African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, for which the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify.