Football fans on social media, specifically X, have been divided after reports that Manchester City midfielder, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, is set to be named the winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or over Real Madrid's superstar, Vinicius Jr.

The report filed by Fabrizio Romano indicated that Real Madrid have cancelled their scheduled trip to France for the ceremony.

"Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or.

No one from Real Madrid will attend the ceremony. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham."

A section holds that Vini has been robbed of the award after coming off an exceptional season of winning La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and emerging as the Champions League's best player.

Whereas, the other section who backed Rodri for the award asserted that the Spaniard fully deserved the prestigious accolade for winning the Premier League and UEFA Euros as well as being named the player of the tournament at the Euros.


Read some reactions below

Vinicius Junior, Attacker.
- UCL
- LALIGA
- Spanish Super Cup
- 35 Goals & Assists

Rodri, Defensive midfielder.
- Club World Cup
- EURO
- EPL
- EURO best player award
- Club World Cup best player award
- 27 Goals & Assists

Now you know why Rodri deserves the Ballon d’Or!👍🏿

— NapauL (@LifeOfNapaul) October 28, 2024

Rodri winning the Ballon D'or over Vini J.....ridiculous

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 28, 2024

It’s hard on Vini but it’s also difficult to argue that Rodri doesn’t deserve it. This is one of those years where it doesn’t matter who wins, another person would feel they deserve it.

— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) October 28, 2024

Vini Jr and Real Madrid not attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony because he’s not winning it is the most childish thing I’ve ever heard. 😂

Serious lack of class from the club and from Vini.

Rodri deserves better. pic.twitter.com/C2DO0Iv37b

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 28, 2024

🚨 Thierry Henry:

"My vote for the Ballon d'Or? RODRI! People forget about midfielders and what they do, they are the heart of the team and he was the heart man city

Rodri will win the Ballon dor today! pic.twitter.com/QrVrdZcSPp

— TR(fan) (@Deji_mide) October 28, 2024

I am not angry with Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or, I don't think anyone is. Rodri deserves recognition, his position on the pitch deserves recognition.

But do I believe Vinicius Jr deserved it more? Yes, absolutely. Between these two my vote would always go with Vinicius.

But…

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 28, 2024

You can’t be that poor at the Copa America and expect to win the Balon Dor. It’s the sense of entitlement that pisses me off. Someone won a treble, breaking records spanning decades, and still didn’t win. Borga park somewhere

— Mr. Daniel Koranteng (@Dani77k) October 28, 2024

Real Madrid were going to go to the Ballon d’Or ceremony, but unfortunately their plane has been caught offside.

— TalkFCB © (@talkfcb_) October 28, 2024

Vinicus Junior winning the Ballon D’or would’ve tainted the trophies credibility.

Winning the Champions League and being your team’s best player shouldn’t give you the Devine right to win the award.

Palmer, Kane, Yamal, Rodri were all much better individually.

— 天蝎座 (@UtdEIIis) October 28, 2024

Vinicius Jr not attending the ceremony speaks of massive lack of sportmanship but most of all massive disrespect to Rodri.

Very bad look.

— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 28, 2024

I’ve never seen a single person with a valid argument when judging the entire 2023/24 season as to why Vinicius Jr should win the Ballon d’Or besides:

“4/5 excellent games in Champions League knockout stages.”

- Average from August to December
- Non existent for Brazil pic.twitter.com/kLUGUy3DGr

— All Things Brazil™ 🇧🇷 (@SelecaoTalk) October 28, 2024

“The winner of the Ballon d’Or 2024 is….Rodri”

Vinicius:
pic.twitter.com/JYlSpLeOWz

— Berneese (@the_berneese_) October 28, 2024

🚨⚪️ Real Madrid sources believed if Vini Jr. didn’t win Ballon d’Or it would go to Dani Carvajal. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/APPh2xGPcP

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) October 28, 2024

If you were not mad at Modric, don’t be mad at Rodri. That’s all I’m saying.

— YDL (@KOJO_Cue) October 28, 2024

Handsome Man Holding his Deserved Balon D’or award 😚 pic.twitter.com/PtCYvSjvj7

— Kay💧 (@Kaypoisson1) October 28, 2024