Ballon d’Or: Vinicius Jr to Boycott Award with Real Madrid Aware He Won’t Win

Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, Vinícius Júnior has decided to skip the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, according to reports on October 28, 2024. This decision comes amid expectations that Manchester City's Rodri will be awarded the prestigious prize instead.

Despite being a leading contender after an impressive season where he led Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double, Vinícius and his teammates, including Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Arda Güler, and coach Carlo Ancelotti, have chosen not to attend the event.

This absence is seen as a form of protest against what some at the club consider "a historic robbery." Vinícius had a remarkable season, scoring 15 goals in La Liga and six in the Champions League, including crucial goals in the semifinal against Bayern Munich and the final against Borussia Dortmund.

However, despite his achievements, Real Madrid sources believe it is "unfair" that he will not win the award, which would have made him the first Brazilian to claim the men's Ballon d'Or since Kaká in 2007.