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Ballon d'Or organizers have reportedly issued a statement clarifying that no player or club is aware of the winner ahead of its official announcement. The ceremony will take place in just a few hours (October 28) at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The winner of the award is often leaked before the ceremony through online outlets. This year, several lists featuring the names of the alleged podium finishers along with their votes have been circulating all over the internet.
Spanish outlet Marca hailed Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. as the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner earlier today (October 28). According to the leaked document, the Real Madrid winger was followed by Manchester City's Rodri and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
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However, Ballon d'Or organizers claimed that neither players nor clubs knew about the winner. In a recent report by @theMadridZone on X, the outlet quoted a statement given by Ballon d'Or organizers to AFP News Agency.
“No player and no club knows the winner of this year’s Ballon d'Or yet,” said the organizers.
A second list, released hours after Marca's announcement claimed that that Manchester City midfielder Rodri was the winner of the award.
The report was even substantiated by acclaimed sports journalist Fabrizio Romano. He said that no Real Madrid delegate would be traveling to Paris as they knew that Vinicius Jr. or any of his teammates would not win the coveted award.
Real Madrid believe Daniel Carvajal should win the 2024 Ballon d'Or if not Vinicius Jr: Reports
According to a report by Diario AS, the Real Madrid camp believes Daniel Carvajal deserves the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2024 if Vinicius Jr. isn't awarded. The acclaimed right-back was one of the standout performers for club and country last season.
In 41 matches for Los Blancos, Carvajal scored six goals and created five more across competitions last season. He won the UEFA Champions League, Supercopa de Espana and LaLiga with Real Madrid, and Euro 2024 with La Roja.
An unnamed Real Madrid spokesperson was interviewed by Diario AS and he said:
“If by criteria, Vinicius Jr is not named the winner, why is Carvajal not named the winner? He meets all criteria. Individual, team, consistency. Why didn’t Carvajal win the Ballon d'Or? If the criteria is as you say it is.”
Carvajal was one of the unsung heroes of Real Madrid's success last season, contributing with goals and assists on big occasions. One of the best instances of his impact was when the Spaniard opened the scoring in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley (June 1, 2024). He also won the Man of the Match award.
The Spanish giants won the game 2-0, claiming their record-extending 15th Champions League title.
