Here’s how the drama unfolded.
On Monday, just eight hours before the ceremony, rumors spread that Real Madrid had decided not to send its members to attend the event in Paris. According to Spanish media outlet El Chiringuito TVMan City representatives informed Real Madrid board member José Luis Sánchez that Rodri would be the Ballon d’Or winner, not Vinicius, whom the football world was expecting to claim the award months before this night.
When it became clear that Vini would not be receiving the award, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez canceled the planned trip, which would have included 50 people, such as key players, head coach Carlo Ancelotti, and their families.
At the award ceremony later at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Rodri was announced the Ballon d’Or winner, finishing ahead of Real Madrid players Vinicius and Jude Bellingham.
Rodri wins the Ballon d’Or while Vincius Junior finished second on Oct. 28, 2024. Photo by Reuters |
The 2024 Ballon d’Or recognized the achievements of players from Aug. 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
During this period, Rodri secured victories in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and Premier League with Manchester City, as well as the Euro 2024 title with Spain. On the other hand, Vini and Bellingham contributed to Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Individually, Rodri was named Euro 2024’s player of the tournament, while Vini was titled the Champions League’s best player for the season.
In early September, the award organizer France Football magazine released the list of 30 nominees. The voting was conducted by journalists from countries in the FIFA top 100, based on three criteria: individual performances, decisive and impressive character; team performances and achievements; class and fair play.
In previous years, winners were notified ahead of time to prepare for the ceremony. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, had often skipped the event when he knew he wouldn’t be winning. However, this year, the organizers adopted a new approach. According to Marc Las, the production editor of the event, only two people, himself and France Football’s editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia, knew the identity of the winner in advance.
The photoshoots and interviews of the winners are also only conducted a few days after the event to preserve the element of surprise, according to the organizers.
Madrid-based newspaper Mark had confidently asserted in late September that Vini would be the Ballon d’Or winner. A British bookmaker even offered odds in favor of Vinicius that were 100 times higher than those for Rodri. After Madrid’s 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Oct. 22, in which Vini scored a hat-trick, coach Carlo Ancelotti further boosted the confidence of fans by affirming that his player would win football’s most prestigious individual honor.
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Vinicius (L) shakes hands with Real Madrid president Florentino Peréz after the Champions League final on June 1, 2024. Photo by AP |
However, as the event approached, suspicions arose.
Spanish newspaper Relief was the first to report that Rodri could unexpectedly win the Ballon d’Or, based on an independent investigation. Their sources revealed that, by Sunday afternoon, both City and Madrid insiders were still confident of Vini’s victory.
But uncertainty began to emerge, with evasive responses from the organizers to Madrid’s requests for confirmation of Vini being the winner, as the club wanted to prepare a big trip to Paris. Besides Vini, many members of Madrid were nominated for other categories, including Best Club and Best Coach.
President Pérez asked his staff to investigate, but the organizing committee refused to disclose the final voting results. This raised Pérez’s concerns that Rodri might indeed surpass Vinicius, but he still kept it confidential.
Unaware of the developments, Vini celebrated in advance with his family and friends on Sunday night until Monday morning. At the gathering, he reportedly promised to gift Rolex watches to his teammates as a gesture of thankfulness. The Brazilian star also planned to fly 20 people to Paris on a private jet for a grand celebration with hundreds of guests.
By Monday morning, Relief received an internal message from Real Madrid: “Maybe you guys are right, something is off.” Madrid’s internal group chats were abuzz with the rumor and tensions escalated at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 10:52 a.m., Relief published an article with the headline: “What if Rodri wins the Ballon d’Or?”
After confirming their suspicions, Madrid released unofficial statements expressing discontent with the organizing committee’s lack of respect and questioned the voting criteria. The club argued that if Vini did not win, the award should be given to right-back Dani Carvajal, who had secured the Champions League, La Liga, Spanish Super Cup and Euro titles.
According to the final voting results, Carvajal only finished fourth.
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