MADRID (AP) — Vinícius Júnior is not expected to be at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday when the award for the world’s best player in men’s and women’s soccer in 2024 will be announced.
The Brazil forward was among the favorites on the men's side, but doubts about him winning the accolade were raised after he did not travel to the ceremony. The decision for the player not to go to Paris was made by his club Real Madrid, according to a person who works Vinícius and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak about the player's whereabouts publicly.
A new era was set to begin with neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo — winners of the prestigious individual award a combined 13 times — in the running for this year’s prize, for the first time since 2003.
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri appeared to take a commanding position to win the award. Rodri was pictured arriving for the gala on crutches, having injured his ACL while playing for City last month.
On the women’s side, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the 2023 award and is among the favorites again this year. She is set to face competition from Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, who are teammates at Barcelona — the Champions League winner and Spanish champion.
The Ballon d’Or was created by France Football magazine and has been awarded since 1956 for the men, and since 2018 for the women. It is voted for by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings.
Each journalist, one per country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points attributed to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points. Unlike FIFA's awards for the best players each year, fans aren't part of the voting system.
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AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas contributed to this report.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press
