Two weeks after the Ballon d'Or ceremony, details of what happened in Madrid are beginning to emerge. The information leak came from the players' entourage, and Vinicius Jr was only notified the same day.
Since Monday, two weeks have passed since the 2024 Ballon d'Or was awarded. The ceremony, which was held on Monday October 28, was notably marked by the absence of the entire Real Madrid organization chart. Florentino Perez canceled the trip to the French capital on its own initiative after having confirmation that Vinicius Jr would not win the prestigious award.
The 2024 Golden Ball, a leak from the players' entourage
Relief we learn this Tuesday morning that, contrary to the first rumors, the Brazilian was not the first informed within the club. He also knew nothing about the situation until his president's decision. According to their information, the leak came from the entourage of a player on the team. A relative would have been informed of the result directly by a France Football manager, and the information would have reached the ears of Florentino Pérez, who would then have cross-checked the information 24 hours before the gala.
Vinicius Jr was only informed the same day, when certain members of the club's technical team went to his house in the morning. They were the ones who revealed to him that the Ballon d'Or was going to go to Rodri, while announcing to him the club's decision not to go to Paris as a sign of protest. The player received this news with a mixture of sadness and amazement, but he accepted Real Madrid's choices. Some of his guests, already on their way to the airport, had to turn back.
The consequences of this decision
In Valdebebas, the decision didn't do only happy people. Some members of the club still wanted to attend the ceremony but had to comply with the instructions. No one deviated from the plans. This withdrawal is still seen as an act linked to political tensions between the White House and UEFA, co-organizer of the event, particularly regarding the Super League.
In any case, Vinicius Jr proved with his hat-trick against CA Osasuna that his mentality was not affected by this “masquerade” and he is already starting to score points for the conquest of the next Golden Ball. The race for 2025 is on, and the Brazilian approaches this season with a vengeful spirit.
François.
France
