Real Madrid has decided to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, claiming that their striker Vinicius Junior has been snubbed. The club has expressed their dissatisfaction with the selection process, citing that another player, Dani Carvajal, was also unfairly overlooked. Real Madrid firmly believes that Vinicius should have been the winner, and if not, then Carvajal should have been considered.
This year, the Ballon d’Or organisers decided to keep the winner’s identity a secret until the ceremony, marking a departure from previous years where the winner was announced ahead of time. Despite all the nominees being invited to the event, the absence of Real Madrid players suggests that their chances of winning the prestigious award are slim.
Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal, and Jude Bellingham were instrumental in Real Madrid’s European success, but it appears that they may not be taking home the Ballon d’Or. Manchester City’s Rodri, who was named the best player in Euro 2024, could be a potential winner of the coveted trophy.
The Ballon d’Or is awarded by a jury of journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings. Real Madrid’s decision to skip the ceremony sends a strong message that the club feels disrespected by the Ballon d’Or-UEFA, and they will not attend events where they are not valued.
Overall, Real Madrid’s boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony reflects their disappointment with the selection process and their belief that their players have been unfairly treated. The decision to stay away from the event highlights the club’s commitment to standing up for their players and demanding fair treatment in prestigious award ceremonies. Only time will tell if Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal, or Rodri will be crowned as the winner of the Ballon d’Or, but Real Madrid’s statement has certainly stirred up controversy and brought attention to the issue of fair recognition in football.