Rodri expected to be named Ballon d’Or winner as Real Madrid prepare to boycott awards | OneFootball

Rodri (28) is expected to be named the winner of the Ballon d’Or, according to The Athletic. Furious at having missed out, Vinícius Jr. (24) and the Real Madrid hierarchy are set to boycott the awards ceremony tonight in Paris.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or has, unlike in previous seasons, been kept a closely-guarded secret. However, having helped Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League and La Liga title this year, Vinícius Jr. was the overwhelming favourite.

However, Fabrice Hawkins reported earlier on Monday that the Brazilian’s entourage, as well as everyone at Real Madrid, have become “convinced” that Vinícius Jr. would not win the award. “Furious”, in the words of the French journalist, the Brazil international and the entire Real Madrid delegation, including Florentino Peréz, Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal, another one of the favourites to win the award, have all decided to boycott the ceremony, set to take place in Paris this evening.

Their flight has therefore been cancelled and they will instead remain in Spain. Speaking to The Athletic, internal sources at Real Madrid have revealed that Rodri will be the winner. The Manchester City midfielder, who won the Euros with Spain over the summer, is therefore set to succeed Lionel Messi in winning the prize.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle