Controversy has erupted following the news that Vinicius Jr. will not be winning the Ballon d’Or, a revelation that has left fans and Real Madrid officials shocked and disappointed. Once a strong favorite for the prestigious award, Vinicius’s loss has led Real Madrid to cancel their trip to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
The Madrid delegation, originally composed of over 50 people—including managers, players, and family members—had been prepared to support Vinicius at what was expected to be a landmark moment. However, all plans were dropped once the club learned the outcome.
Journalist Josep Pedrerol reported that Real Madrid places blame on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, alleging ongoing tension and bias toward the club. Club president Florentino Perez sees this outcome as part of a broader dispute between UEFA and the European Super League, believing it has unfairly impacted Vinicius’s career.
Following UEFA’s November 3, 2023 announcement of a partnership with France Football and L’Equipe to oversee the Ballon d’Or, Ceferin gained considerable influence over the award. Many now view the Ballon d’Or’s credibility as compromised under this arrangement.