Real Madrid appear to have issued a furious statement after reportedly learning the result of the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
The ceremony takes place at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris and will see the best player in the world for 2024 crowned, along with a slew of other prizes being handed out.
Going into the event there was strong speculation that Real sensation Vinicius Jr was going to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time after a stunning year.
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MARCA plastered it on the front page of Monday's newspaper, claiming that the Brazilian is "receiving the Ballon d'Or today" after notching 26 goals and 11 assists last season as Los Blancos won both La Liga and the Champions League.
However, in a huge twist, reports emerged stating that both Vinicius and Real would be boycotting the award as they already knew he was not going to be the winner.
Transfer expect Fabrizio Romano followed up on a post from RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins, reporting that not a single person will represent Real - with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Florentino Perez and Jude Bellingham also not travelling.
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Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, a firm favourite after an excellent year, is therefore expected to win the Ballon d'Or.
But Real are incensed by what they believe to be a blatant form of disrespect, feeling as though captain and right-back Dani Carvajal should be the winner if not Vinicius - given he helped Spain win Euro 2024 like Rodri.
A report from AS carries a stinging quote from a Real source, which reads: “If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner. Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected."
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Real are up for the Team of the Year award and have nominees in a multitude of categories. The report adds that Vinicius, having initially had a chartered flight prepared, was the driving force behind the Ballon d'Or boycott and has been supported by his teammates.
Topics: Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr, Ballon d'Or
Josh Lawless