Ballon d’Or Awards LIVE: Vinicius Jr claims ‘they’re not ready’ as Rodri crowned amid Real Madrid boycott

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was revealed tonight with Rodri succeeding Lionel Messi

Ballon d’Or ceremony

Vinicius Jr took to social media to react after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or voting behind Manchester City’s Rodri after Real Madrid led a boycott of Monday night’s ceremony in protest of the result.

Vinicius had been widely tipped to win the men’s award after an outstanding season, but Real Madrid delegation cancelled their trip to the Paris ceremony at the last minute when the “leaked results” of the prestigious award showed Rodri had received the most votes ahead of the Brazilian and Jude Bellingham.

The 24-year-old, who was named Champions League player of the year after playing a starring role in Real Madrid’s 15th European Cup, took to Twitter/X and posted “I’ll do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.” He did not congratulate Rodri on on winning the Ballon d’Or for the first time, with the influential midfielder recognised for his role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.

Follow all the reaction from the Ballon d’Or ceremony with our live blog below:

Ballon d’Or Awards

• Rodri wins Ballon d’Or as Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati wins Feminin
• Real Madrid boycott Ballon d’Or as Vinicius Jr loses out to Rodri
• Vinicius Junior reacts to Ballon d'Or result: ‘They’re not ready’
• Vinicius deserved to win the Ballon d’Or - his problem was that so did Rodri

[28 October 2024 20:04 · Karl Matchett]

Real Madrid boycott Ballon d’Or with Vinicius Jr set to lose out to Rodri

Real Madrid’s players did not turn up to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris because they believe star forward Vinicius Jr will be beaten to the top prize by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.

According to reports, the Real Madrid delegation cancelled their trip to Monday night’s ceremony at the last minute when the “leaked results” of the prestigious award showed Rodri had received the most votes ahead of Vinicius and Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by rivals Barcelona in Saturday night’s Clasico and there has since been a total blackout of posts on the club’s social media channels, with no acknowledgment of the Ballon d’Or ceremony.