Actual Madrid’s act overshadowed Manchester Metropolis and Spain midfielder Rodri’s historic Ballon d’Or award win in Paris on Monday. He grew to become the primary Premier League soccer to win the trophy since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, his debut yr for Manchester United, and the primary male participant from Spain since 1960. Nonetheless, the cynosure of the gala occasion at Chatelet Theatre grew to become Actual Madrid.
Didier Drogba with Sandy Heribert current membership males crew of the yr to Actual Madrid(REUTERS)
The Spanish membership had eight nominees throughout all awards for the Monday evening occasion, however not one of the crew members had been current in Paris. They boycotted the ceremony after being satisfied that their striker Vinicius, the bookmakers’ favorite to win the boys’s award, had been snubbed.
The Brazilian was the heavy favorite to say the celebrated trophy after enjoying an influential position in Actual Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double. Nonetheless, the membership reportedly grew to become conscious that Vinicius misplaced the race to Rodri for the Ballon d’Or award and boycotted the occasion.
Was Ballon d’Or award leaked?
The organisers added a twist to the 2024 version of the occasion as they determined to maintain the winner’s identify a secret till the very finish, solely to keep away from any media leaks. In response to Madrid’s boycott – which grew to become official because the nominees gathered for the ceremony at a Paris theatre – the organisers insisted that “no player or club” knew prematurely who has received the award.
“All the clubs and players are in the same boat,” a Ballon d’Or supply advised AFP.
Actual Madrid accuse UEFA of ‘disrespect’
The membership questioned the choice process for the Ballon d’Or winner, saying that their defender Dani Carvajal, who was additionally on the 30-player nomination listing, was unfairly missed. The Spaniard scored the opening aim within the 2024 Champions League closing in opposition to Borussia Dortmund, earlier than Vinicius struck the second in Madrid’s 2-0 title win in Wembley.
The reigning La Liga winners additionally accused UEFA and France Soccer, organisers of the award, of “disrespect” over the award snub.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” Actual Madrid advised AFP.
“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 place did Vinicius and Carvajal end on the ultimate Ballon d’Or listing?
Vinicius completed second on voting, forward of teammate Jude Bellingham (third), whereas Carvajal took the fourth spot. Different Actual Madrid gamers on the ultimate listing included Kylian Mbappé (sixth), Toni Kroos (ninth), Federico Valverde (seventeenth) and Antonio Rüdiger (twenty second).