The world changed a lot in a few hours.
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A list purported to show the top 12 finalists for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or has gone viral online ahead of Monday night’s official ceremony in Paris.
According to the unconfirmed but widely shared list, Vinícius Júnior leads the way with 630 points, which is significantly higher than what Lionel Messi won in 2023, but lower than Messi in 2019 (686), Luka Modric in 2018 (753) or Cristiano Ronaldo’s result in 2017 (946). If the list is accurate, Manchester City midfielder Rodri finished second with 576 points, while Jude Bellingham was third with 422 points.
Ballon d’Or votes are cast before the ceremony, and in September rumors began to circulate that Vinícius had received information that he had won the award, but was not officially notified. According to L’Equipe, this is the first time that the winner does not know the official result before the ceremony, and no interviews or photographs have been taken in advance, as has been the case in previous years.
Well, the opposite is claimed by Fabrizio Romano, who writes that Vinícius will not travel to Paris, as Real Madrid is already aware that he will not receive the award, but Rodri. Florentino Pérez, Jude Bellingham and Carlo Ancellotti will also not be at the ceremony.
