Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid are reportedly opting out of the highly anticipated 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which is set to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This event, celebrated for honoring the world’s best football player, will unveil its winner on Monday night.
Vinicius, alongside notable contenders like Manchester City’s Rodri, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé, was initially seen as a strong candidate for this prestigious award. However, recent developments have shifted expectations significantly.
According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, Vinicius’s camp has recalibrated their hopes, indicating that they no longer believe he will be awarded the Ballon d’Or. This sentiment resonates within Real Madrid, where many feel the young star will miss out on the honor.
The situation escalated further when transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on social media that Real Madrid has decided not to send a delegation to the ceremony. He tweeted, “BREAKING: Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid knows 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.”
Adding to the drama, Hawkins noted that the mood within the club is tense, with directors expressing anger over the perceived outcome. Consequently, Real Madrid has canceled their trip to Paris.
There’s speculation that Manchester City’s Rodri may emerge as the Ballon d’Or winner, surpassing Vinicius and Bellingham. The final decision will be unveiled tonight at the star-studded ceremony, promising an evening filled with excitement in the heart of France.
