Audio By Carbonatix
A Ballon d'Or executive has denied the final rankings for this year's award were leaked amid claims Real Madrid are boycotting the ceremony.
Brazilian attacker Vinicius Junior was heavily regarded as the natural option to win the award for the world's best player of 2024 at Monday's ceremony, but it was claimed earlier in the day that the Madrid star will lose out to Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
Madrid's collective outrage has resulted in the club boycotting the awards, with Vinicius and his team-mates and fellow contenders Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde all refusing to attend.
However, Ballon d'Or executive Marc Las has spoken out to dismiss the rumours that the winner has already been announced, as he insisted that only two people are aware of the final results, and he is one of them.
"Only two people know the winner, me and the chief of France football. Anyone who says they know the winner or have a list is a liar," Las told L'Equipe.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony gets underway on Monday evening. As well as the best men's player, awards will be given out for the women's player of the year, as well as the top coaches across the men's and women's game among other prizes.
Latest Stories
-
Iran war lands ‘triple blow’ to flood-ravaged Sri Lankans
8 minutes -
Gunmen kill at least 11 people at Afghanistan picnic spot
22 minutes -
Woman, 25, in court for stealing baby at Bogoso
23 minutes -
Trump unveils giant gold-accented victory arch design for US capital
26 minutes -
We spoke to the man making viral Lego-style AI videos for Iran. Experts say it’s powerful propaganda
31 minutes -
Hungarians vote in big numbers on whether to end Orbán rule and elect rival
31 minutes -
At least 30 feared dead in crush at Haitian tourist site
32 minutes -
Boxing: Abdul Ahmed wins WBA Africa Cruiserwight title after dispatching Nigeria’s Eradeye
45 minutes -
Nearly 2,000 displaced, schools damaged as windstorm wreaks havoc in Gushegu
1 hour -
Ghana’s Derrick Kohn to work under Marie-Louise Eta as she becomes first woman to coach men’s Bundesliga team
1 hour -
Accra Open Championships conclude with strong performances ahead of African Championships
1 hour -
Ghana to begin camping with 12 athletes after Accra Open Championships – Bawa Fuseni
2 hours -
Anthony Joshua declines showdown with Tyson Fury but admits they ‘probably’ clash next
2 hours -
Tyson Fury dominates Makhmudov, calls out Joshua next
2 hours -
I have supported highway authority financially to fix roads in my constituency – A Plus
3 hours