A who’s who of football will descend on Paris for the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday night, but don’t expect to see anyone from Real Madrid in attendance.
The entire delegation from the Spanish giants will collectively snub the festivities as Vinicius Junior is reportedly set to miss out on winning the game’s greatest individual honour.
According to ESPN, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Andriy Lunin and Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will all spend the night in the Spanish capital instead.
It means Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who was considered a leading contender to take the gong alongside Vinicius Junior, has all but wrapped up the award.
If Rodri wins, he becomes the first City player to have won the Ballon d’Or and the first from the Premier League since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Had Vinicius won the Ballon d’Or, he would have become the first Brazilian to do so since Kaka in 2007.
The Madrid winger’s reported snub comes just days after he reportedly taunted Barcelona midfielder Gavi over the award.
According to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Gavi held up four fingers in front of Vinicius to remind him of the scoreline in Saturday’s El Clasico.
Vinicius reportedly responded: “Yes, yes, but on Monday I’m going for the Ballon d’Or.”
As reports of Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or snub came to light, renowned Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague criticised the Brazilian for a perceived lack of class.
“Ok, Vini,” Balague wrote on X.
“You haven’t won, but you should show some respect for the winner, the biggest sign of sportsmanship.
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“Nobody from Real Madrid travelling to Paris today for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.”
As one delegation from a Spanish giant prepares to spend the night at home, another will most certainly be in Paris for the ceremony.
Barcelona uploaded a short clip to their social media of Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal getting ready on the plane ahead of the short trip to France.
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Olmo and Yamal are both nominees for the Ballon d’Or but are almost certain to miss out with Rodri now the leading favourite.
Yamal and Cubarsi are also up for the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best young player.
Barcelona also have a large representation for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, with Aitana Bonmati, Caroline Graham Hansen, Alexia Putellas, Salma Paralluelo, Ewa Pajor and Patricia Guijarro all nominated.
The Catalan-based club is also one of five nominees for the women’s club of the year award.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is expected to begin at 7:45pm UK time and will be available to watch for free on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
