Ballon d’Or organizers announce new rule for winner

• France Football introduces a significant change for the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled for October 28.
• The traditional practice of interviewing the award winner before the event will be discontinued this year. 
• With just over two weeks to go, speculation is swirling about potential winners.
• According to Mario Cortegana from The Athletic, the 2024 winner will only learn of their victory during the live ceremony, with the envelope revealing the results.

France Football, the organizer of the Ballon d’Or awards, is set to introduce a significant change for this year’s ceremony, which is scheduled for October 28.

Traditionally, the award winner would be interviewed ahead of the event, but this year, that practice will be discontinued.

With just over two weeks remaining before the ceremony, speculation is swirling about the potential winner.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is the frontrunner, having delivered an exceptional performance last season, leading Los Blancos to victory in both LaLiga and the Champions League.

He is expected to claim the award ahead of other notable contenders such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri.

According to Mario Cortegana, a correspondent for The Athletic, the 2024 Ballon d’Or recipient will find out they’ve won only during the live event, as the traditional pre-award interview will not take place.

Cortegana states that the winner will only be informed when the envelope is opened during the ceremony.

In similar news, Real Madrid’s winger, Vinicius Jr, is exuding calmness amidst mounting speculation that he could take home the coveted 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Fresh from being named Man of the Match in Real Madrid’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich, which secured their spot in the Champions League final, Vinicius Jr revealed that he is keeping his eyes on the prize.

Vinicius Jr highlighted that he is prioritizing helping his team make history by clinching a record-extending 15th Champions League title.

When asked about the Ballon d’Or, he shrugged off the pressure…