Who to succeed Ousmane Dembélé? This Tuesday, September 8, France Football revealed the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. While attention is now focused on the next edition, scheduled for London, the 2024 trophy returns to the forefront with a surprising revelation concerning Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian was then considered the big favorite to succeed Lionel Messi. Everything even seemed to be settled before the ceremony, since the Real Madrid player would have been informed in advance that he was going to receive the prestigious trophy. A reward which seemed logical given his exceptional performance in the Madrid jersey.
A revelation has now shed new light on this evening which left its mark. Rafa Hermoso, the brother of Spanish international Jennifer Hermoso, said on Instagram that Vinicius knew even before the ceremony that he was to be crowned. “We told him he had to win the Ballon d’Or”he explained, before recounting a party organized at the Real Madrid player’s house: “He invited us to dinner at his house to talk about something important. »
Vinicius already thought he had won
The Brazilian would have even already planned the place to display his trophy. “It had already found its place in a window”continued Rafa Hermoso. According to his account, the evening was also linked to Jennifer Hermoso, who was to receive an award in Paris. “My sister was then going to receive an award for her social commitment, or something like that. »
A precise scenario would even have been imagined for the ceremony.
“And… they agreed that my sister would give him the Golden Ball and that Vinicius would give him the distinction. » But nothing ended up going as planned. It was Rodri who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, provoking the anger of Real Madrid and the boycott of the ceremony by the entire Madrid delegation. Vinicius Jr therefore never received the trophy he thought he had won. Jennifer Hermoso, on the other hand, was rewarded in Paris with the Socrates prize, which distinguishes players engaged in societal and charitable projects.
