Real Madrid cancels Ballon d'Or trip despite having tickets booked - What led to this decision?

The current Champions League and La Liga titleholders have been nominated for the prestigious best club award, with Carlo Ancelotti being recognized for his coaching prowess through a newly-created best coach award. Additionally, rising stars Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham are among the top contenders for the highly anticipated men's award.

But rumours sparked by a supposed leaked list of the results of the men's Ballon d'Or are claimed to angered Real Madrid amid claims that Manchester City's Rodri is set to beat Vinicius Jr to the prestigious gong.

More details on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or snub

Spanish outlet Marca claim that event co-organisers France Football were unaware of Real Madrid's decision not to attend until they themselves broke the news. Real Madrid had previously confirmed that they would send 50 guests to the big gala show in Paris.

Marca added on Monday afternoon: "The organisation has still not heard from Madrid, although it is clear that the move by the club has greatly disrupted the plans for organising an event of such magnitude."

The report adds that in previous years, the Ballon d'Or nominees would already know weeks in advance of the awards show whether they had won or not, as they would be invited to attend an interview and photo shoot well in advance.

That has apparently not been the case this year, with UEFA taking on co-organisational duties for the first time. The organisers have instead gone to great pains to protect the results of the show before the event.

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Clubs are said to have been warned that this would be the case, but Real evidently feel they know something they shouldn't.

RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins tweeted: "Vinicius Jr.'s entourage is now convinced that he will not be named Ballon d'Or. Everyone in Madrid has this feeling."

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That was soon followed up by another tweet: "Real Madrid's directors are furious. They are certain that Vini Jr will not win the Ballon d'Or. Real's delegation remains in Spain. The trip to Paris is cancelled."

At this stage we're unsure whether it would be funnier if Vinicius Jr actually won it or not.