The Ballon d’Or is given to the best player in the world every year by France Football with a panel of football experts and Journalists deciding the winner. It is the ultimate Individual prize in World Football and it crowns the best player in the world for that year. For most of the last 2 decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had dominated the award sharing a record 13 awards amongst themselves. But in 2024, the battle for the Ballon d’Or was much more intense. The two biggest contenders for the award currently are Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Manchester City’s Rodri.
Both players were monumental to their club and national sides and all the success they achieved on the pitch. With the competition being very intense and the Ballon d’Or ceremony coming up in a few hours, the anticipation of tonight’s winner has been paramount in footballing circles. And amidst all the apprehension of the award, apparently, the Ballon d’Or standings have been leaked.
But it’s not the leak that’s the most shocking part. For a few years now, the Ballon d’Or standings have had a tendency to get leaked before the ceremony. What was actually shocking was what ensued after the winner’s name got leaked. According to the Ballon d’Or leaks that have been circulating the internet, it is actually Rodri, the City and Spain Midfielder who is all set to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of the Brazilian winger, Vinicius Jr.
Following these leaks, according to reports it has been decided that no Real Madrid player will be attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony this year. This list includes Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr, all of who had a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. Not even Florentino Perez or Carlo Ancelotti will be travelling to Paris to attend the famed ceremony.
This is blatant disrespect for an award that is easily the most respected prize in World Football. If Vinicius Jr and his Real Madrid teammates, coach and President actually end up not attending the ceremony just because he allegedly got 2nd place, it would be the epitome of being a crybaby. There could be a case made for it being Vinicius Jr who shall win the award and if Rodri ends up winning it might be a robbery.
But whatever it may be. Being absent at such an important ceremony, especially where Vinicius got awarded and applauded for his good work in fighting racism last year, would show us just how big of an ego the Madrid winger has, and if he really is the biggest crybaby in Football.
