Why Real Madrid have cancelled delegation’s plans to attend Ballon d’Or ceremony
Vinícius Junior had been widely expected to win the Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid have abruptly cancelled their delegation’s plans to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, following indications that their Brazilian forward, Vinícius Júnior, is unlikely to win the prestigious award.
Bookmakers had favoured the 24-year-old, who was named the Champions League Player of the Year, as a strong contender for his first Ballon d’Or.
He was expected to outperform Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri and Real’s English international Jude Bellingham.
Vinícius played a pivotal role in helping Real Madrid secure a Champions League-La Liga double last season, alongside Bellingham, who was named La Liga MVP after scoring a career-best 19 goals in his debut campaign.
The 21-year-old also contributed to England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. Meanwhile, Rodri, whom Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called “the best midfielder in the world,” was crucial in securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title for his team.
He was also recognised as the best player at this year’s European Championship after Spain clinched a record-extending fourth title.
As of now, neither Real Madrid nor France Football, the organization behind the Ballon d’Or awards, has commented on the matter.
The awards are determined by a voting panel comprising journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.
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