"Biggest joke ever", "This sport is done" - Fans in disbelief as Vinicius Jr set to miss out on 2024 Ballon d'Or as reported winner leaked

Real Madrid fans have been left in shock as initial reports indicate that forward Vinicius Jr will not emerge as the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner. The Brazil international had been tipped to win the prestigious award after a stellar 2023-24 campaign with the Spanish club.

Bookmakers and fans alike tipped Vinicius Jr to win this year's Ballon d'Or on the back of his displays for Real Madrid. The 24-year-old fired Los Blancos to LaLiga and UEFA Champions League glory in the 2023-24 season, scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund.

Multiple reliable sources, including El Chringuito journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, have revealed that neither Vinicius Jr nor any of his Real Madrid teammates won the Ballon d'Or. With the likes of Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, and Dani Carvajal also nominated, Los Blancos stood a good chance of winning the award this year.

The rumors have sparked a lot of reactions from the fans, and some of them took to X to share their opinions.

One fan alleged that a robbery had been carried out in how the Brazilian forward failed to win the award.

"We have been robbed 💔," the fan wrote.

Another fan shared the same opinion, stating that Rodri had emulated Messi in winning the award undeservedly.

"After Messi Rodri is the new robber," wrote the fan.

Another fan opined that the award has lost its credibility after the news came to light.

"Such a shame. Ballon d’Or has lost the 1% credibility it had remaining," commented the fan.

Here are some more reactions:

Vinicius Jr himself appeared to be convinced that he would be named the winner of the award, seeing as it was his response to Gavi's El Clasico taunt.

The Brazil international found the net 24 times in 39 appearances for Real Madrid during the 2023-24 season but failed to impact Brazil's Copa America campaign. The Selecao crashed out of the quarterfinals of the competition at the hands of Uruguay.

Rodri's case as 2024 Ballon d'Or winner over Vinicius Jr

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has emerged as the leading candidate to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or ahead of rival Vinicius Jr. The Spanish midfielder was one of the nominees for the award after a stellar season with club and country.

Rodri was instrumental as Manchester City won an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown in the 2023-24 season. He also featured heavily for Spain in their triumphant Euro 2024 campaign, winning the Player of the Tournament award.

Manchester City have struggled this season since Rodri injured his ACL against Arsenal, further underlining his importance. The Spain international is the Premier League's leading contender to win the award for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.