Real Madrid has officially boycotted the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, expressing frustration over what they believe is the unfair exclusion of Vinicius Jr., who was widely expected to win the prestigious award. The club voiced its concerns over the selection methods used to determine the Ballon d’Or winner, suggesting that their striker Vinicius Jr. and defender Dani Carvajal were both unjustly overlooked.
Vinicius, who played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s 2024 Champions League victory by scoring the decisive second goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund, had been a top favorite for the men’s award. Carvajal, another nominee, scored the opening goal in the same final, further cementing his importance to the team’s success. Despite these contributions, Real Madrid believes the Ballon d’Or criteria have failed to recognize their players’ achievements.
In a statement to AFP, the club remarked, “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. 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 Ballon d’Or organizers had introduced new secrecy measures this year to prevent the winner’s identity from being leaked before the ceremony, a departure from previous years where the result was revealed days prior. Despite these efforts, Real Madrid’s absence from the event signals that neither Vinicius, Carvajal, nor their star midfielder Jude Bellingham will take home the trophy.
With Real Madrid out of the picture, Manchester City’s Rodri, who was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, is now seen as a likely contender for the Ballon d’Or. Rodri’s key role in Spain’s European Championship win in Germany has bolstered his claim to the title, especially with Real Madrid choosing not to attend the event.
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the Ballon d’Or selection process and raises questions about how individual and team achievements are weighed in football’s most prestigious individual award. Real Madrid’s decision to boycott could set a precedent for other clubs in the future, should similar issues arise.
