'I know': Ballon d'Or chief hints Cristiano Ronaldo might be holding silent protest ahead of Paris ceremony

10/27/2024 10:42 AM

CRISTIANO RONALDO could protest being snubbed by Ballon d’Or chiefs by refusing to attend Monday’s ceremony.

The Portuguese legend, 39, is a five-time winner of the prestigious award – claiming the honour in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

But in 2023 he failed to make the 30-player shortlist for the first time in 20 years.

And the Al-Nassr forward also missed out this time around – making it the first time in more than decades that neither Ronaldo or Lionel Messi were among the nominations.

Ronaldo has still received an invite to the ceremony in Paris on Monday as all previous winners are permitted to attend.

However, France Football editor Vincent Garcia has hinted Ronaldo may opt to stay at home.

Speaking to The Times, he said: “Winners have the right to come back to all future ceremonies but they don’t all come, some are very upset with us.

“I don’t know for certain Cristiano is. I don’t talk to him directly, but I know for example that former winners vote for the Kopa Trophy – for the best young player – and Cristiano didn’t vote last year and he didn’t vote this year.”

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is the favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

The Brazilian scored 24 goals and assisted 11 last season as Carlo Ancelotti’s men lifted the LaLiga title and Champions League.

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He also already has 15 goal contributions in as many games for Real Madrid this season.

Vinicius would become just the third player outside of Messi and Ronaldo to win the award since 2008.

Luka Modric won it in 2018, while Karim Benzema picked it up in 2022.