Ballon d’Or or Paula Forada? Real Madrid boycotts the defense ceremony for Vinny Junior

On 28 October 2024, the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which traditionally honors the best player in the world, was marked by an unexpected and controversial absence: Real Madrid decided to boycott the event held in Paris. Without the presence of striker Vinicius Junior – one of the candidates to win the title – and the technical staff and even coach Carlo Ancelotti, the Spanish club’s position sparked controversy about the fairness and transparency of the selection criteria.

Real Madrid’s official justification indicates growing dissatisfaction with what they see as the devaluation of Vinicius Junior’s achievements and performances. According to the club’s position, the Brazilian was unfairly passed over for the award, which led to a boycott as a form of public protest. The absence was interpreted as a symbolic act to denounce standards which, according to the club, do not do justice to Vinny Junior’s contribution to football.

Why didn’t Vinnie Jr win the Ballon d’Or?

The absence of Vinny Junior, who is considered a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s season, raised questions about the criteria used to award the award. Vinnie Jr. had a huge impact all season long with 24 goals and 11 assistsas well as playing a decisive role in the Champions League and Spanish Championship victories.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri’s final victory sparked controversy. Although Rodri had an excellent season, fans and the Madrid club themselves said that Fini’s performances, especially in decisive matches, deserved more recognition.

How to vote for the Ballon d’Or?

Since 1956, the Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football magazine, has been one of the most prestigious awards in world football. The selection process includes a A jury composed of 180 international journalistsone from each country, which evaluates a list of 30 pre-selected players. Each journalist chooses a top five, with positions determining the outcome: first gets six points, second gets four, third gets three, and so on.

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The current controversial methodology analyzed the 2023/2024 season and took into account not only the performance of the clubs, but also the performance of the national team. The Brazilian actor in this process is the narrator and commentator Kleber Machado.

Vinicius Junior and his courage off the field

Vinnie Junior’s 2023/2024 season wasn’t just about football on the four lines. The player also received recognition for his social initiatives with the Socrates Award. The award recognizes projects that use sport as a tool for education and inclusion, something that Vinnie Jr. has been actively promoting since 2020 through his institute.

These off-field actions have enhanced his public image and highlighted his commitment to social development, especially in Brazil, where the Institute works in communities in need.

What is the future of the Ballon d’Or?

Real Madrid’s absence from the award ceremony this year raises questions about the credibility of the award and its future. With clubs expressing their dissatisfaction and questioning the award’s criteria, France Football may face challenges in maintaining the prestige of the Ballon d’Or. The innovation of keeping the result secret until the night of the ceremony was an attempt to increase excitement, but it also raised suspicions of tampering and leaks before the event.

The discussion sparks broader thinking about how awards can evolve to fairly reflect players’ performances, both on and off the field. The debate remains open, and future editions may offer a renewed outlook on international football recognition.