‘No player or club knows who is the winner’ – Ballon d’Or organizers respond to Real Madrid’s boycott | OneFootball

Ballon d’Or organizers have responded to Real Madrid in the wake of Los Merengues‘ snub of tonight’s award ceremony at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet. Real Madrid were expected to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony with Brazilian international winger Vinicius Jr. touted as the favorite to succeed 2023 winner Lionel Messi. However, reports from France and Spain claimed that Vinicius Jr. learned he would not be invited to the stage to receive the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid later confirmed to AFP that they would boycott the ceremony, adding they felt disrespected by Ballon d’Or and UEFA, who have partnered with France Football for the award’s organization.

Responding to Real Madrid through AFP, Ballon d’Or organizers have reminded the La Liga champions that, contrary to the previous prize-giving ceremonies, France Football have not informed the Ballon d’Or beforehand. “Even the Ballon d’Or winner does not know he has won it before tonight’s ceremony. No player or club knows in the afternoon who is the winner. It is the same for every club and every club.” Either Real Madrid have been informed of the Ballon d’Or winner’s identity or they might have jumped the gun way too quickly in boycotting the event.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval