Vinicuis vs Rodri: Ballon d’Or Officials deny trending rumours

Rumours are swirling that Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid will skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony tonight in Paris, believing the Brazilian forward will not win the prestigious award.

The ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, will reveal the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, with Vinicius Jr. and Rodri from Manchester City among the top favourites.

Initial reports from MARCA had hinted that Vinicius Jr. was expected to claim the award. However, a recent update from RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins now suggests that Vinicius’ camp believes he will not win.

Hawkins wrote on social media:
“BREAKING. Vinicius Jr.’s entourage is now convinced that he will not be named Ballon d’Or. Everyone in Madrid has this feeling.”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later confirmed that the Real Madrid star will not attend the ceremony.

Romano posted:
“BREAKING: Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham will attend.”

Following the reports, Marc Las, a Ballon d’Or executive, denied that anyone outside the organisers knows the winner.

Speaking to L’Equipe, he said:
“Only two people know the winner—me and the chief of France Football. Anyone claiming to know the winner or have a list is lying.”