Ballon d'Or 2024: Why Real Madrid didn't attend as Vinícius Júnior loses out to Rodri
Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris was overshadowed by Real Madrid's decision not to travel to the gala in the French capital
The media had been speaking about it for days. On Monday night in Paris, Vinícius Júnior was set to crown a memorable year by lifting the Ballon d’Or trophy. In anticipation of a win which had seemed a foregone conclusion, Real Madrid had arranged to send a large delegation to the French capital and in Spain, Nike had organised a series of celebrations for the Brazilian forward. But on Monday afternoon, all of those plans were in tatters.
Hours before the event was due to start, news emerged on social media and in major outlets across Europe that Vinícius was not the winner. He had lost out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Real Madrid’s response was one of indignation, disbelief. And it was announced that Vinícius would not be attending. In fact, nobody from the Spanish side would be there at all. Not president Florentino Pérez, nor coach Carlo Ancelotti. Not even France forward Kylian Mbappé.
Rodri, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury, became only the second Spanish winner of the award after the legendary Luis Suárez Miramontes took home the prize in 1960. But the Manchester City midfielder, who was named as Euro 2024’s Player of the Tournament following Spain’s summer win, was subjected to boos in Paris and there were chants of “Vini, Vini” as Liberian great George Weah announced he had won the award.
Madrid’s anger was not aimed at Rodri, but at UEFA and France Football. The 15-time European champions’ brief to the Madrid media spoke of “injustice”, feeling “tricked” and a “lack of respect”. Los Blancos claim they were led to believe their player was winning the award. There was also the thinking that, if Vinícius were not to claim the prize, then it should have gone to Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, scorer and Man of the Match in May’s Champions League final and a key player for Spain in their Euro 2024 win.
On X (formerly Twitter), the conspiracy theorists were out in force, with many alleging racism against the Brazilian and some large accounts reporting that “UEFA’s plan was to humiliate Madrid”. Meanwhile, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga spoke of “football politics” in a post supporting Vinícius and Madrid’s former favourite Clarence Seedorf told Brazilian media that “there’s something going on” between Real and UEFA.
Despite their dominance in the Champions League and the old European Cup, Madrid – led by president Pérez – have been behind the push for a breakway European Super League, which ultimately failed following a huge backlash from fans and the withdrawal of English clubs from the plans.
Clearly, there is tension between UEFA and Madrid. But Los Blancos were still named “Club of the Year” and Ancelotti also won the coach’s award. Sadly, nobody from the club was present to collect those prizes and on social media, the Italian dedicated his prize to Vinícius and Carvajal.
For their part, the organisers had hoped to keep the identity of the winner under wraps until the ceremony itself, in order to create greater interest. And their explanation for Vinícius not winning was the presence of team-mates Carvajal and Jude Bellingham in the top five. “The jurors spread their decisions among all of them and that benefited Rodri,” editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia explained.
That explanation was ridiculed by the Madrid media, but ultimately the Ballon d’Or is decided by a vote. It can happen. And while Vinícius was key for Madrid at club level, the Brazilian was a disappointment for his national side. Rodri, meanwhile, was instrumental in another Premier League title for City, on the back of a treble the previous season, and Spain’s Euro 2024 title. Much more so than Carvajal – irrespective of his goal in the Champions League final. Right-backs don’t win these things, let’s be honest here.
Another factor to consider is the fair-play element. While Vinícius has been the subject of horrific and intolerable racial abuse, the Brazilian is also a provocateur on the pitch. He regularly winds up rival players and fans. Such behaviour obviously does not justify racism in any way, but it may make journalists around the world less likely to vote for him in an award like this one – particularly when “class and fair play” is listed as one of the three criteria to be taken into consideration.
In any case, people will always have their favourites in a vote. Cristiano Ronaldo won this award four times as a Real Madrid player, with his former team-mates Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema also taking home the prize in recent years. With enormous success in Spain and Europe and a huge media machine behind them, Madid players win the Ballon d’Or more than most. But they can’t always win it.
So behind the indignation at Vinícius finishing second in a vote decided by 100 journalists from around the world and at not being told the result, Madrid’s reaction really screams of entitlement at failing to get their way. But hey, at least nobody is talking about Saturday’s 4-0 loss at home to Barcelona in El Clásico any more…
Perfectly said Ben! It had been a while since I had read one of your articles and I'm glad this great piece was the first I read on my return to reading your publishing. Everything you pointed out I agree with. I disagree with the notions that it was unfair, rigged/corrupt, or biased. They're just showing the sickness of Real Madrid fanaticism.
I would suggest every club boycotts this event next year if a Real Madrid player wins!
It would serve those big-headed entitled players and management right!