Real Madrid and Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior would not attend the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, along with any representative of the Spanish giant club.
The Brazilian player and Real Madrid made the decision when they were told Vini would not be winning the award.
Vinícius, 24, was a leading contender to win the 2024 coveted prize after leading Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
It has also been confirmed that 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.
Vinícius scored 15 goals in La Liga last season, as well as six in the Champions League, including in Madrid’s semifinal win over Bayern Munich and the final against Borussia Dortmund. Most people had assumed Vinicius Junior would win it.
“I think he’ll win it,” Ancelotti said last week.
If he had been chosen, he would have Ben the next Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007.
Since Vino’s snub, rumors have been flying that Manchester City player Rodri may win the award instead.
The 28-year-old Spaniard, who is currently out for the season after suffering a ligament injury in November helped Manchester City to their first champion’s league cup in history.
He was also a key part of the Manchester City side that won the EPL four consecutive times. He also won the Euro 2024 with Spain.
