Vinicius Jr was the first member of the Real Madrid camp who decided to skip the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, reports said. Club president Florentino Perez, manager Carlo Ancelotti and teammate Jude Bellingham also decided against travelling to Paris as a sign of solidarity and respect to Vinicius, the reports said.
Several news reports said that Real Madrid's Ancelotti was also unlikely to win the Best Manager award at Monday's ceremony.
Real Madrid have reasons to believe UEFA-directed extra-sporting decision behind the Ballon d’Or 2024 being denied to Brazilian winger Vinicius, who was arguably the finest attacked this past footballing season. Los Blancos was unhappy with Manchester City being named the best club in the world last year, Spanish media COPE said in a report. Real Madrid "understands this as a lack of respect", and City's Rodri being chosen over Vinicus Jr for the coveted prize rubbed salt to the injury, the report added.
It was speculated that the Brazilian winger was going to win this year's Ballon d’Or. However, at the last hour, his camp was informed that he was unlikely to win the prize, despite "leaked reports" declaring him the winner a few days back.
Why Rodri over Carvajal?
Real Madrid is also worried about Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or over their captain Dani Carvajal.
ALSO READ | Ballon d’Or 2024: 'Leaked result' says Vinicius Jr won, but did Rodri deserve it more?
The European champions wonder what were the criteria for giving it to Rodri while Carvajal, who is now out injured, also met all the parameters. While City won the Premier League, Real won La Liga and both of them were part of the Euro Cup-winning Spanish side. In addition, right-back Carvajal was instrumental in Real lifting the 15th Champions League this past season while City and Rodri failed to defend the title.
