Kolkata : Real Madrid have decided to skip Ballon d’Or ceremony at Paris after Vinicius Jr’s Ballon d’Or hopes were scrapped.
Initially considered a frontrunner for the award, the Real Madrid forward now faces strong competition from Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who has emerged as a leading candidate for the trophy. Leaked reports suggest that Rodri is favored to win, prompting Real Madrid stars to skip the ceremony.
Many experts predicted Vinicius Jr, named the Champions League player of the year, as the strong favorite to win his first Ballon d’Or. He was ahead of Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri, the prime contender for Ballon d’Or , and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Vinicius Jr had an impressive season, helping Real Madrid achieve a Champions League, LaLiga double. His teammate, Bellingham, was named LaLiga MVP and scored a career-best 19 goals. Bellingham also played a key role in helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.
Rodri is set to win the Ballon d’Or with a lot of certainty. He was instrumental for Manchester City, leading them to win their fourth consecutive Premier League trophy. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, called Rodri “the best midfielder in the world.” Rodri was also named the best player at this year’s European Championship after Spain claimed their fourth title.
As per Real Madrid , the club decided to boycott the event , after confirmed reports of Vinicius’ name being snubbed. The Club clarified that no player or management staffs would be present in the ceremony, nor would any Madrid channel telecast the ceremony, as a mark of respect for the young Brazilian.
Real Madrid are unhappy regarding Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or over their captain Dani Carvajal.
Madrid wondered what were the criteria for giving it to Rodri while Carvajal, who is now out injured, also met all the parameters. While City won the Premier League, Real won La Liga and both of them were part of the Euro Cup-winning Spanish side.
According to Madrid, right-back Carvajal was instrumental in Real lifting the 15th Champions League this past season while City and Rodri failed to defend the title.
“It is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,” the club told AFP.
According to reports, Real Madrid players – Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, as well as Andriy Lunin, nominated for best goalkeeper, Arda Güler, nominated for the Kopa Trophy, and Carlo Ancelotti, nominated for best coach — would not be attending the event, organized by the magazine France Football, in collaboration with UEFA.
