Real Madrid will reportedly boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony following the controversial selection of Manchester City’s Rodri as the 2024 winner, according to RMC Sports.
The Spanish midfielder will reportedly pip Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham to the prestigious award. Right-back Dani Carvajal was also an option after lifting the double and the 2024 European Championship.
Vinicius Jr was widely expected to be a strong contender. His exceptional performances for Los Blancos last season, culminating in a La Liga and Champions League double, were extraordinary.
However, the Brazilian’s consistent brilliance was overlooked by the Ballon d’Or jury.
English sensation Bellingham seamlessly transitioned to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund and garnered significant attention with his performances.
His impressive goalscoring record and pivotal role in England’s 2024 European Championship campaign made him a strong candidate.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” the club told AFP.
“As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”
The decision to snub the players has sparked a debate among fans about the fairness of the award.
Madrid has decided not to attend the ceremony in solidarity with its star players. They believe that the Ballon d’Or committee made a grave error in judgment.
As the football world reacts to this shocking news, questions are being raised about the fairness and transparency of the Ballon d’Or selection process.
While Rodri’s impressive performances for Manchester City cannot be denied, many people argue that the award should have gone to a different player.
