Ballon d'Or 2024: The Absence of Vinícius and the Great Opportunity for Rodri.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris has come as a surprise surprise: Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior, one of the favourites for the award, will not be attending the event. His absence is due to the fact that, according to reports, the Madrid club and the player himself had received indications that Vinícius would not be awarded, which motivated his decision not to travel to Paris. This decision also reflected the discontent of Real Madrid, who decided not to send representatives to the ceremony, showing their discontent at what they consider a possible snub to the performance of their Brazilian star.

Rodri, Favourite for the Ballon d’Or

In the absence of Vinícius, Rodri Hernández, Manchester City midfielder, is emerging as the main candidate to win the award. After an excellent season, in which he was a key player for City and the leader of the Spanish team that won the Euro Cup, Rodri arrives in Paris with the backing of his achievements and the recognition of the public and critics. His performance during the year has earned him a solid base of support, and he could become the first Spaniard to receive this honor in more than a decade.

An Unexpected Outcome and the Reaction of Real Madrid

The lack of representatives of Real Madrid at the gala has generated multiple reactions, since Vinícius had been one of the main contenders and his possible victory was a reason for hope among his followers. For some fans, this decision by the club reflects a protest stance, while for others, it is a sign of total support for their star player. The situation has generated debate on the selection criteria for the award, which continues to be the most prestigious individual recognition in world football.

This unexpected twist makes the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony one of the most talked about and will undoubtedly remain in the memory of fans for its load of emotions and surprises.

Top 10 Favourites for the 2024 Ballon d’Or

1. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
2. Rodri (Manchester City)
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
4. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
5. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
6. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
7. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
8. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
9. Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

This list highlights the players with the highest merit and expectations, reflecting the excellent performance each has shown this season, both at club and international level. The competition is strong, and the selection criteria are more complex than ever.