Ballon d’Or Executive Denies “Leaked” Results as Real Madrid Boycotts Ceremony

A Ballon d’Or executive has denied rumors that the results of this year’s award were leaked, in response to claims that Rodri of Manchester City will defeat Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid. Real Madrid has decided to skip the awards event amid the rumors, citing their displeasure at what they see as Vinicius’s accomplishments going unacknowledged.

Real Madrid Players Participate in the Boycott

In a rare show of solidarity against the Ballon d’Or voting method, Vinicius and his Real Madrid teammates—Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, and even Kylian Mbappe of PSG—are reportedly going to forgo the ceremony in protest.

The dispute adds to the high-stakes environment before Monday’s celebration by highlighting persistent conflicts about openness and criteria between clubs and the Ballon d’Or organizers.