“Erling Haaland’s Unexpected Plans Tonight Shock Fans as Ballon d’Or Ceremony Unfolds”
“Erling Haaland’s Surprising Choice Tonight Leaves Fans Stunned Amid Ballon d’Or Ceremony”
Erling Haaland appears to have joined Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in skipping the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
Held at the Theatre du Chatelet, the prestigious event has Haaland on the shortlist for the award alongside several Manchester City teammates. Midfielder Rodri, who played a pivotal role in City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, is widely considered a favorite to win.
On the day of the ceremony, reports surfaced that Vinicius and Real Madrid chose to boycott the event, believing he would not be the winner. Although Manchester City is expected to have a strong presence in Paris, Haaland appears to have other plans for Monday evening. The Norwegian striker posted on Instagram, showing he was in the VIP section at the Malmo vs Goteborg match in Sweden’s top league, tagging ‘Eleda Stadium’ and sharing a photo with the Malmo crest.
Last year, Haaland attended the Ballon d’Or, where he finished second as Lionel Messi claimed his eighth trophy. Despite an injury-hit season, Haaland scored 38 goals in 45 games for City and is expected to rank within the top ten this year.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s absence at the event underscores their disappointment. According to AS, the club feels disrespected by both UEFA and the Ballon d’Or, with figures like Carlo Ancelotti, Florentino Perez, and Jude Bellingham staying away in a marked boycott.
