A dramatic new twist has emerged in Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or boycott saga, with reports revealing that the club’s protest over Vinicius Jr’s apparent snub carries an unexpected subplot – the complete omission of Jude Bellingham from their list of potential winners. This revelation adds another layer of intrigue to what has already become one of the most controversial Ballon d’Or ceremonies in recent memory.
According to sources close to the Spanish giants, speaking to AS, Real Madrid’s dramatic decision to cancel their planned 50-person strong delegation to Paris stems from their belief that they had two legitimate contenders for the prestigious award – but surprisingly, neither was their English midfield sensation. The club had pinned their hopes primarily on Vinicius Jr, with veteran defender Dani Carvajal considered their alternative candidate, particularly given the increased weighting of international performances in this year’s voting.
The oversight of Bellingham’s candidacy is particularly striking given his remarkable impact during the 2023-24 season. The English midfielder’s campaign yielded an impressive 34 goal contributions, though his influence admittedly waned during the latter stages of both Real Madrid’s season and England’s European Championship campaign. This dip in form, combined with England’s ultimate failure to secure the Euro 2024 trophy, appears to have influenced Madrid’s internal assessment of his chances.
The situation has exposed the complex politics at play within one of football’s most prestigious institutions. Real Madrid’s expectation that Vinicius might miss out on the award due to his disappointing Copa America showing with Brazil demonstrates their understanding of the voting criteria. However, their subsequent backing of Carvajal, who enjoyed success with both club and country, winning the Champions League and Euro 2024 with Spain, reveals their strategic thinking in promoting their players for individual honors..jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60 "Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or Boycott Reveals Surprising Bellingham Oversight 1")
The club’s dramatic response to the reported victory of Manchester City’s Rodri has transformed what should have been a celebration of football excellence into a statement of institutional protest. The decision to withdraw their entire delegation, which was set to be one of the largest at the ceremony, marks an unprecedented step in the club’s relationship with football’s most prestigious individual award.
What makes this situation particularly intriguing is the apparent disconnect between Real Madrid’s internal views and the wider football world’s assessment of their players’ performances. While Bellingham was widely considered one of the favorites among media and fans, particularly after his explosive start to life at the Bernabéu, the club’s focus remained firmly on Vinicius and Carvajal’s claims to the trophy.
The revelation also raises questions about the criteria used to evaluate players’ contributions across different competitions. Real Madrid’s emphasis on Carvajal’s candidacy, seemingly prioritizing his combined club and international success over Bellingham’s individual brilliance, suggests a particular interpretation of what constitutes Ballon d’Or worthiness.
This episode may have lasting implications for how Real Madrid approaches future individual awards and their relationship with organizations like France Football. Their decision to boycott the ceremony represents more than just disappointment over a single result; it signals a deeper dissatisfaction with how their players’ achievements are being recognized on the global stage.
As the football world turns its attention to tonight’s ceremony in Paris, the absence of Real Madrid’s contingent will be keenly felt. The club’s protest, and particularly their surprising stance on Bellingham’s candidacy, adds another chapter to the ongoing debate about how football excellence should be measured and rewarded in the modern game.
The fallout from this situation will likely continue long after the winner is announced, with Real Madrid’s bold stance potentially influencing how future awards are approached and evaluated. Meanwhile, the oversight of Bellingham in their considerations may yet prove to be a talking point in its own right, especially if the English midfielder continues his trajectory toward becoming one of football’s premier talents.
