The ‘sorpasso’ of the Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid in flames, Vinicius in a suit and Rodrygo with his pen for his father

Overtaking is an economic term referring to the overtaking of one country by another in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). This word gained popularity during the elections where Podemos, at its peak, hoped to overtake the PSOE from the left. Since 2016, it is often used to warn of the potential of an advancing competitor. However, it was perhaps October 28, 2024 that this term found its full resonance. The threat came true: Rodrigo won the Ballon d’Or, beating Vinicius. This success, which could have seemed like a classic victory, truly shook the world of Football by shaking up the big favorite. Bookmakers have estimated the chances of victory at 73% for comecompared to only 20% for Rodrigo. And yet, the result was quite different.

As with any significant event, what sticks with you is not so much the outcome as the intrigue surrounding it. Thus, documentaries on historical events often leave certain aspects secondary. With the rivalry between Rodrigo and Vinicius, it is likely that we will talk for a long time about the moment when Rodrigo lifted the precious trophy at the Châtelet Theateras the story that unfolded from the weekend before until the ceremony was full of twists and turns, as reported by Relevo.

The excitement began on Sunday afternoon, in the wake of a Clasico where Barça largely dominated Real Madrid (0-4), with a disappointing performance from Mbappé. A message to the editors warned that Rodrigo, and not Vinicius, would win the Ballon d’Or. It was a brutal revelation. The information, as well as the credibility of the source, was strong enough to shift the editorial agenda. However, it was essential to respect the journalistic protocol of verification, especially in this context where any error would be scrutinized by the eyes of the world. As the night progressed, the various investigative channels brought only identical confirmations, leaving room for a key question: should we publish and pray that nothing goes wrong, or wait for more reliable sources ?

The mission, like a Tom Cruise challenge, was unachievable. Real Madrid remained silent, without wanting to fuel the rumors of a media with which relations are rather tense. Vinicius’ entourage feigned ignorance, while Rodrigo quietly continued his family plans in Madrid, not understanding the situation. The organization had told him that the votes would be closed three weeks before the ceremony and that the name of the winner would not be revealed before the big day, urging him not to get carried away.

Growing unrest

As Sunday wore on, Ancelotti and some players began to receive inside information, mainly from Florentino Pérez. The president, since the previous Thursday, wanted to have news from the podium, and while France Football remained silent, he mobilized his contacts to try to clarify the situation. Upon discovering that elements remained, he chose not to say anything so as not to disturb his team. After the heavy defeat, no player appeared before the media, marking the start of “Operation Withdrawal”.

Florentino, worried about the behavior of his team in Paris after such a setback, relaunched his investigations into the details of the ceremony which Madrid were to attend en masse, with Ancelotti, Lunin, Bellingham and others among the nominees. The editor-in-chief of France Football admitted to having been pressured, being the only one with a few other members of the organization to know the list of winners.

Sunday ended without anyone really knowing who had won, and of course, without any article appearing on Relevo regarding this already well-confirmed news. Within the Madrid locker room, murmurs of disapproval circulated. In Manchester, City leaders quietly celebrated birthdays, and paid no attention to these rumors being spread.

Vini, for his part, was preparing for a party for his friends in a chalet in Ciudadelcampo, not suspecting the upheavals to come. It was only with the dawn of Monday and the unfolding of events that the truth began to emerge. The confirmation came when Vinicius received a visit from certain Real Madrid officials, and the rumor was made official by Relevo, triggering a real earthquake in the community.

As Rodrigo learned he was in a good position to win, the football community finally realized the impact it would have on the game and the media sphere. A tense atmosphere of competition and rivalry was essential, enriching the narrative of this new era in football.

Takeaways

• The concept of overtaking reflects the dynamics of football and the rivalries between players.
• The professionalization of votes and the secrets surrounding the Ballon d’Or raise questions about the fairness of the results.
• Media pressure and communication strategy influence the perception of sporting events.
• The need for a transparent process in the nomination and awarding of prizes is crucial for respecting sporting values.

Overall, this article highlights the fragility of the balance of power in football and how even a victory can be tinged with uncertainty and rivalry. This opens the discussion about the future of individual awards in sports and how they should be awarded to truly reflect performance and the spirit of the game. How leagues can improve transparency and build player confidence and fans in these processes?

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