A Ballon d'Or official has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo refused to vote for a specific award ahead of the 2024 ceremony in Paris.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been a fixture at Ballon d'Or ceremonies in previous years, but the Portuguese superstar was absent from Monday's event.
As a former Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldo is entitled to attend all future ceremonies, regardless of whether or not he is nominated for the main prize.
However, much like his long-time rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo reportedly snubbed his invitation and did not cast his vote for the Kopa Trophy winner.
Speaking to The Times, Ballon d'Or award chief Vincent Garcia remarked: "Winners have the right to come back to all future ceremonies but they don't all come; some are very upset with us. I don't know for certain Cristiano is, I don't talk to him directly, but I know for example that former winners vote for the Kopa Trophy – for the best young player – and Cristiano didn't vote last year and he didn't vote this year either."
In a fitting outcome, talented teenager Lamine Yamal claimed the Kopa Trophy after an impressive breakout season with Barcelona.
The 17-year-old joins the ranks of fellow La Masia graduates Gavi and Pedri as Kopa Trophy winners, alongside previous victors Matthijs de Ligt, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
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Ronaldo's absence coincided with a night of drama in Paris, where no representatives from Real Madrid were present at the event.
By Kurt Buckerfield
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