Rodri wins Ballon d'Or as Real Madrid boycott ceremony over Vinicius Jr snub

REAL MADRID boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony as Rodri beat Vinicius Jr to football’s top individual gong.

The injured Manchester City star, who needed crutches to collect his award, was crowned the best player on the planet in a shock announcement on Monday night.

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Brazilian winger Vinicius had looked a shoe-in for his first Ballon d’Or trophy after leading Real to an incredible league and European double last season.

The ace was widely predicted to become the latest Los Blancos champion of this century following Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo.

However, it emerged on Monday afternoon that Man City hero and Spain Euro winner Rodri was instead being crowned king of the jungle.

The tearful anchorman later received his prize from legendary striker George Weah at a glittering ceremony snubbed by Real in Paris, with teammate Erling Haaland joining him in the top 10.

Rodri, who ruptured his ACL earlier this season, was aided by Chelsea legend and host Didier Drogba up the steps before delivering an emotional speech.

Thanking his family and teammates, Rodri noted: “It’s a very special day, for me, my family and my country. I try to improve every day, try to level up my game.

“I am just trying to take care of myself. Rest, enjoy the free time with my family and come back stronger.”

Vinicius came in second, with Real’s England superstar Jude Bellingham completing the top three ahead of Dani Carvajal and Haaland.

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Elsewhere, seventh-place Lautaro Martinez was sandwiched between Kylian Mbappe and 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, who also won the Kopa Trophy for best youngster.

While recently retired Toni Kroos and England captain Harry Kane, also joint-winner of the Gerd Muller Trophy with Mbappe for top scorer, took ninth and tenth respectively.

The result marked the first time in the last decade that the Ballon d’Or did NOT go to a Real Madrid player after they had won the Champions League.

The snub to Vinicius is said to have left Florentino Perez “furious”, with Real’s president cancelling his club’s appearance at tonight’s ceremony despite them being named Team of the Year.

Reports even claimed City chiefs were the ones to inform their Real counterparts of the decision.

Vinicius scored six and assisted four more in just ten Champions League games as Real won their 15th European crown last term.

The Brazilian even scored the second in the 2-0 final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Vini Jr was also involved in 20 goals in just 26 LaLiga games last season.

And Real reportedly accused organisers of showing disrespect in their decision to award the Ballon d’Or elsewhere.

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Real also felt if there was to be another winner, the Ballon d’Or should have gone to Dani Carvajal after he added the Euros trophy to his domestic double.

A statement read: “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner.

“As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”

As well as cancelling any appearance by the club and their players at Monday’s event, Real also took the axe to their in-house TV channel.

It’s claimed Los Blancos had put FIVE hours aside for a Ballon d’Or special this evening.

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Elsewhere, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer came 25th in the final standings, one spot ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

Gunners pal Bukayo Saka came 21st, with Man City ace Phil Foden finishing 11th.

Aston Villa goalie Emi Martinez was once again handed the Yashin Trophy.

While Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Manager of the Year.

Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, now with the USA, won the Women’s equivalent.

While Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the second year running as her club were named Women’s Team of the Year.