Who did Senegal vote for? – The New Tribune

The Senegalese vote for Ballon d’Or 2024, carried out by the journalist Idrissa Sané of The Observerwas marked by a preference for the Brazilian Vinicius Jr., followed by Jude Bellingham and Rodri. However, the final victory of Rodri, midfielder of Manchester Cityhas sparked intense debate and some controversy.

Sané, Senegal's official representative for the Ballon d'Or, has placed Vinicius Jr at the top of his choice. This vote reflects support for the player Real Madridconsidered one of the favorites before the official announcement. Although Rodri ultimately won the trophy, several observers, including fans and journalists, believe that Vinicius would have deserved the title due to his consistent performances.

The absence of several Real Madrid players, including Vinicius Jr, from the Ballon d'Or award ceremony in Paris has intensified speculation about a possible disagreement between the club and organizers. The move was interpreted as a quiet protest, in response to rumors that Vinicius Jr. would not be considered for the title despite his prowess on the pitch. Vincent Garciaeditor-in-chief of France Football, clarified that the name of the winner was not communicated in advance, ensuring that no leak had taken place.

Some Vinicius Jr. supporters believe that the strong presence of Real Madrid teammates in the rankings, such as Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, could have harmed his chances by dispersing the votes. This fueled discussions about how votes are distributed, highlighting discrepancies between performance criteria and team dynamics.

The Senegalese vote in favor of Vinicius Jr highlights the debate on the selection criteria for the Ballon d'Or and the impact of individual preferences in an often controversial prize list. With this victory for Rodri, the 2024 edition of the Ballon d'Or leaves a unique mark, once again fueling the debate on the fairness and transparency of this prestigious prize.