Real Madrid release Ballon d'Or statement as Vinicius Jr decision sees them BOYCOTT ceremony

Real Madrid have said the decision to overlook Vinicius Jnr for the Ballon d'Or shows the organisers and UEFA "don't respect them".

The Spanish giants were hoping that one of their leading lights was going to win the prestigious award, but news has been leaked claiming that he has been beaten to the Golden Ball by Rodri, another of the favourites to win the gong.

As a result Los Blancos have decided to boycott the ceremony in Paris with no one connected with the club attending. Vinicius was one of six Real nominees in the 30-player shortlist for the award following the club's success in La Liga and the Champions League.

Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger were all up for the Ballon d'Or but none of that six will be in France - nor will manager Carlo Ancelotti or president Florentino Perez as they took aim at the organisers.

They told AFP : "If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."

Rodri's success is largely down to him playing a leading role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. The Manchester City star, who added another Premier League title to his CV, was voted as the tournament's best player, but Carvajal was also part of the Spanish side.

Real claim that his involvement - coupled with him also winning the Champions League - should stand him ahead of Rodri if it is international success that they have used as their main standpoint. Vinicius was unable to add the Copa America to his European success in the summer as Brazil fell short.

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings. Real have the joint most wins of any club in the accolade's history - winning in on 12 occasions along with Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Karim Benzema was their last winner as he claimed the award in 2022. Since the turn of the millennium they have also seen Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro and Ronaldo claim the Golden Ball.

Rodri meanwhile is set to become the first Premier League winner since Ronaldo won the award in 2008. He is also poised to become the first Spanish winner in more than 60 years with this national boss, Luis de la Fuente, naming him as the man most deserving.

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