Real Madrid feel ‘disrespected’ by Ballon d’Or organisers | OneFootball

Real Madrid have confirmed to AFP that they will be boycotting tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. It came after it was revealed by multiple sources that Vinícius Jr., the favourite to win the award, was set to be snubbed. As reported by The Athletic, it is expected to be Manchester City’s Rodri who succeeds Lionel Messi in winning the prestigious award.

RMC Sport reported on Monday afternoon that Vinícius Jr.’s entourage was certain that the Brazilian hadn’t won the award, despite playing a significant role in helping Real Madrid towards the UEFA Champions League and La Liga title. Los Blancos’ reaction was severe.

Real Madrid believe Carvajal could have won instead of Vinícius Jr.

Vinícius Jr. will no longer travel to Paris for the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and neither will any of the rest of the Real Madrid delegation. As a result, Carlo Ancelotti, Florentino Peréz, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal are all set to remain in Madrid and have cancelled their flight to the French capital.

RMC Sport have now provided further details of Real Madrid’s boycott. The La Liga champions believe that they have been “disrespected” by the organisers of the Ballon d’Or, France Football, and UEFA. They believed that, if Vinícius Jr. did not fulfil the criteria to win the award, then it should have been Carvajal instead, not Rodri.

In addition, RMC Sport are reporting that, prior to the boycott, Real Madrid TV had dedicated a five-hour slot to the awards ceremony. That programme has now been cancelled.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle