In an unexpected twist, Rodri is expected to become the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner over Vinícius Júnior.

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Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reported that Real Madrid knows Vinícius Júnior will not win the 2024 Ballon d’Or; Football’s most prestigious individual honor now seems destined for Manchester City’s Rodri.

Real Madrid will reportedly not travel to Paris, where the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Other Ballon d’Or nominees and teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, along with Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Pérez, are also not expected to attend. ESPN also reported that the Brazilian forward will not travel to attend the event.

Vinicius Jr. was the favorite to win the award for his contributions to Real Madrid’s La Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup titles. The Brazilian scored a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup final, fifteen goals in La Liga and six goals in the Champions League, including one in the final against Borussia Dortmund.

However, Rodri also had a strong argument for taking home the Ballon d’Or. The midfielder played an important role in Manchester City’s Premier League title, scoring seventeen goals. He also won the UEFA Super Cup with the Citizens and helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship.

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