Real Madrid have reportedly decided to skip the Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony in Paris after learning that their star forward, Vinicius Junior, will not be winning the award.
According to well-known football journalist Fabrizio Romano, club president Florentino Perez, along with coach Carlo Ancelotti and nominee Jude Bellingham, will also be absent from the prestigious event.
This decision follows news that Real Madrid’s representatives will not be lifting any major prizes at the ceremony, which has disappointed many fans and supporters of the club.
Vinicius Junior, who was widely considered a top contender for the Ballon d'Or, was expected to secure the prestigious award after an outstanding season. His performances in both domestic and international competitions, including his contributions to Real Madrid’s successful campaigns in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, had many believing he was a front-runner for the accolade.
Vinicius received strong backing from Real Madrid management and Ancelotti himself, who had publicly voiced his belief that Vinicius would take home the trophy this year. However, recent reports from La Sexta indicate that Vinicius is expected to finish as the runner-up, with Manchester City’s Rodri Hernandez now emerging as the frontrunner for the award.[/p>
Jude Bellingham, who has had a remarkable season as well, is anticipated to secure third place in the final rankings, further highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s award. The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, is determined by votes from 100 specialized journalists who evaluate players based on individual and team performances, as well as their sportsmanship throughout the year.
It’s worth noting that despite Vinicius’s instrumental role in helping Real Madrid secure both the La Liga title and the Champions League trophy, Rodri's significant impact with Manchester City during their Premier League triumph and Spain’s victory in Euro 2024 appears to have tipped the scales in his favour for the coveted award this year.[/p>