REAL MADRID has issued an indignant statement, confirming its absence from the Ballon d’Or ceremony as Vinicius Junior appears poised to forfeit the prestigious men’s award.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri is poised to receive the honor, surpassing the star forward of Los Blancos.

Vinicius Junior looks set to be snubbed for the Ballon d’Or in favour of Rodri

Reports indicate that Real Madrid will not dispatch any representatives to the ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

The Spanish champions have said that the Ballon d’Or results indicate a lack of respect from the organization and UEFA towards Real Madrid.

They assert that one interpretation of the requirements should have resulted in Real Madrid and Spanish full-back Dani Carvajal receiving the trophy.

They informed AFP: “If the award criteria do not designate Vinicius as the victor, then those same criteria should identify Carvajal as the winner.”

Given that this was not the situation, it is evident that the Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not hold Real Madrid in high regard. Real Madrid does not venture into places where it is not esteemed.

The Ballon d’Or is determined by a group of journalists from the leading 100 nations in the FIFA rankings.

Vinicius, having netted 24 goals and delivered 11 assists last season, is among six Real Madrid players included on the 30-player shortlist for the prize.

He is accompanied by Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, and Antonio Rudiger.

Toni Kroos, who contributed to Real’s victory in the LaLiga title and Champions League last season before to his retirement from football, was also included on the shortlist.

Rodri, the clear frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or over Vinicius, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title.

He subsequently assisted Spain in securing the Euros when Luis de la Fuente’s team prevailed in Germany.

Vinicius is anticipated to secure the second position, behind Rodri, with Bellingham in third place.

Rodri will be the third player since 2007 to get the honor, following Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Luka Modric secured victory in 2018, whereas Karim Benzema attained the top position in 2022.