VICTORY OR INFLUENCE? 2024 BALLON D’OR WINNER SPARKS DEBATE ON POLITICS OVER FOOTBALL’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

The 2024 Ballon d’Or delivered a bombshell:

Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield maestro beat out Real Madrid’s electric winger Vinícius Júnior, defying widespread expectations and igniting a firestorm in the football world.
Vinícius, who is regarded by fans and pundits alike as a natural heir to the Ballon d’Or throne had his dreams of clinching footballs most coveted honor dashed. While Rodri’s pivotal role in City’s historic treble was celebrated, many believed Vinícius with his game-changing performances and crucial role at Real Madrid, was the true rightful winner. 

The drama escalated further when Real Madrid decided to boycott the ceremony entirely, calling off a planned delegation to Paris. The move was a bold protest seemingly sparked by rumors of the committee’s decision in Rodri’s favor which left Madrid feeling snubbed and disrespected.
Host Didier Drogba even hinted at “last-minute script changes” during the ceremony, thereby stoking fans’ suspicions of behind-the-scenes politics. Meanwhile social media erupted with speculation over the final announcement, with some fans suggesting that Vinícius’s outspokenness on racial abuse issues may have influenced the decision.

This Ballon d’Or will be remembered not only for Rodri’s win but also as a reminder of how football politics and personal dynamics can reshape what fans see on the field. Instead of simply crowning the best player, the award reignited tensions between club giants and raised questions over the impartiality of football’s highest individual honor.