How the Ballon d’Or ended with a boycott of Real Madrid
Vinicius was considered the favorite to win the award, finishing second after a drastic change that meant he didn’t even show up at the ceremony.
It was early afternoon in Madrid, the capital of Spain, when Vinicius Jr. learned that he will not be traveling to Paris, France for the ceremony. Ballon d’Or 2024 at the Théâtre du Châtelet on Monday 28th. The Brazilian had to fly on a plane rented by the company. Real Madrid, together with the Madrid delegation, but the club decided not to send anyone to the event.
First information about Ballon d’Or for RodriSpain national team midfielder Manchester Citybegan to appear early in the morning in the French capital. The day before, the player even did a photo shoot for France Football, as reported by sources. ESPN and that the magazine refused to represent Vinicius Jr.
However, as the hours passed, sources connected to the club and the Brazilian striker confirmed their pessimism about the award. Taken by surprise, he real Madrid He eventually decided to boycott the event.
A source at the club gave an interview ESPN stated that the decision not to recognize Vinicius It was “unfair” and “shameful.” The failure to attend the awards ceremony was actually a form of protest against what Real Madrid considered a “historic theft.”
As guests exited luxury cars in front of the Théâtre du Châtelet, dozens of fans, some wearing T-shirts with real Madrid and others with images of the Brazilian on tablets shouted Vinicius’s Ballon d’Or.
When was it announced Rhodrithe scene repeated itself. Many exclaimed the Brazilian’s name as the former striker George Weah was preparing to announce the winner.
He and his team just followed instructions real Madrid that no one from the club went to Paris. They also learned from the club that Rhodri would be a winner. Nothing came directly from the organization France Football.
The Brazilian forward was not the only representative of the national team. real Madrid in the main prize of the evening, in which they also participated Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde. Andrey Lunin He also claimed the title of best goalkeeper. Arda Guler for the Copa Cup and Carlo Ancelotti to the coach.
He real Madrid won the award for the best men’s football club of the 2023/24 season. No one came on stage to receive the trophy from their hands Didier Drogba. The organization quickly changed topics. The same thing happened when Ancelotti was declared the best coach, while only Drogba, his teammate in Chelseahe regretted not recognizing his former coach.
For the Spanish team this would only be acceptable for Golden ball it was not for Vinicius Jr. if the chosen one were Carvajal, who, in addition to winning the Champions League and La Liga, also won the European Cup with Spain, like Rodri.
Vinicius Jr. started out as a favorite for him Golden ball after winning La Liga and the Champions League last season, playing a decisive role in both.
The Brazilian scored 15 goals in the league and six in the European Cup, including goals in the semi-final against Bayern Munich and in the final against Borussia Dortmund.
Rhodriin turn, he won the Premier League, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with the Citizens, as well as the European Championship with Spain.
Voting criteria for Golden ball are as follows: an expert jury selects 30 finalists from a list presented to 100 journalists from the countries ranked best in the FIFA rankings (for women this number is reduced to 50).
Each judge selects ten players in descending order, who receive 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively, depending on the position chosen. The player with the most points wins Golden ball.
Victory Rhodri continues a long streak of bad awards in Brazil. Last Brazilian player to win the award France Football was a midfielder Kakathen from Milanin 2007. Latest winner of the competition Golden ball was Lionel Messiwho did not participate in this episode, e.g. Cristiano Ronaldosomething that hasn’t happened since 2003.
*This report used information from Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.