Pro ShotsVinícius Jr
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 17:06
Footballer Vinícius Jr and a delegation from his club Real Madrid have decided not to travel to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday evening. The player and the club drew their conclusions after it was leaked that the Brazilian attacker will not win the famous golden ball, sources report to the Reuters news agency.
Vinícius, who was named the best player of the Champions League last season, was considered the bookmakers’ favorite for the Ballon d’Or. The Spaniard Rodri and the Englishman Jude Bellingham are among the other contenders, according to the betting offices.
Vinícius and Bellingham won the Champions League and the Spanish national title with Real Madrid last season. Bellingham also reached the final of the European Football Championship in Germany with England. He lost the final battle to Spain. Rodri, who is under contract with Manchester City, was voted player of the tournament at the European Championship.
The Ballon d’Or is an award for the best footballer in the world, organized every year by France Football magazine. The jury consists of journalists from countries that belong to the top hundred of the FIFA world rankings.
Lionel Messi won the election for the eighth time in 2023, a record. His eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo has five golden balls on his mantelpiece, making him number two on the list of former winners. Both are not among the nominees this year.
The ceremony in the Parisian Théâtre du Châtelet starts on Monday evening at 8.45 pm.
