Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid to Skip Ballon d’Or Ceremony Amid Surprise Twist

Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian forward of Real Madrid, who has been a strong favorite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, and his team are reportedly set to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony. This decision comes as a significant twist, especially given Vinicius Jr’s outstanding season with Real Madrid, where he scored 21 goals and provided 11 assists, helping the team secure both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Fabrice Hawkins, Vinicius Jr’s entourage and Real Madrid’s management are convinced that he will not be named the Ballon d’Or winner. As a result, neither Vinicius Jr nor any other representatives from Real Madrid, including Florentino Pérez, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jude Bellingham, will attend the ceremony in Paris.

The ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday night, will still feature other top contenders such as Rodri from Manchester City, who is now speculated to be a potential winner. Rodri has expressed his hope that a Spaniard would win the award, highlighting the significance of Spanish football.

For the women’s Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona is a strong favorite, having won multiple titles including the UEFA Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana, and the Nations League, along with scoring 26 goals and providing 18 assists.