In a surprising twist, multiple sources in Spain have reported that the 2024 Ballon d'Or will not be awarded to Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, but instead to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

According to RMC Sport, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is said to be livid over the news that Vinícius, who was widely tipped to win, will not be taking home the prestigious trophy. The Madrid camp had been confident for weeks that the Brazilian star would secure the award, but the revelation earlier today that he was not the top choice in the voting has led to the club's decision to boycott the ceremony in Paris.

This year's Ballon d'Or process has also broken from tradition, with organizers keeping the winner under wraps until the night of the event. In previous years, the recipient would be informed ahead of time, allowing for pre-ceremony interviews and preparations. However, this time, the suspense will last until the announcement on stage.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony will kick off at 19:00 CET, with fans able to watch the live broadcast on L'Equipe's official YouTube channel. The stream is free and accessible globally, although some regional restrictions may apply.