Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid are reportedly set to boycott the much-anticipated 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, as a surprising development has emerged just hours before the event.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or, which celebrates the best football player in the world, will be announced on Monday night at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
This year, several top-tier players, including Vinicius, Manchester City’s Rodri, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, are considered strong contenders for the prestigious accolade.
In the lead-up to the ceremony, Vinicius Junior, the 23-year-old Brazilian sensation, was viewed as a frontrunner to claim the coveted individual award.
However, anticipation has taken an unexpected turn. According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, Vinicius’s entourage has shifted their expectations dramatically, with sources indicating they no longer believe he will be named the Ballon d’Or winner. The sentiment within Real Madrid also reflects this outlook, with many believing that the young star will not secure the honour.
Adding to the unfolding drama, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported on social media that Real Madrid have decided not to send a delegation to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
He tweeted, “BREAKING: Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or. No one from Real Madrid will attend the ceremony. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham.”
Furthermore, Hawkins elaborated, stating, “Real Madrid’s directors are furious. They are certain that Vini Jr will not win the Ballon d’Or. As a result, the Real Madrid delegation has chosen to remain in Spain, and their trip to Paris has been officially cancelled.”
Reports are circulating that Manchester City’s Rodri could potentially take home the Ballon d’Or, surpassing Vinicius and Bellingham, although the final decision will only be revealed during the ceremony tonight, which promises to be a dazzling event filled with stars in the heart of France.
