This year's Ballon d'Or has gone from bad to worse for Real Madrid with manager Carlo Ancelotti the latest to be snubbed as the Spanish giants prepare to boycott the gala.
Just hours ago, Vinicius Jr, slated to win the main prize at the yearly ceremony, was getting ready to join teammates, coaching staff and family members on a chartered flight to attend what was expected to be a glorious event for the Galacticos.
But when it was leaked today that Manchester City's Rodri was in fact the winner, Real Madrid decided to pull the plug on the trip to the glitzy gala, held at the Theatre du Chatelet.
Ballon d'Or organisers urged on Monday afternoon ahead of the ceremony: 'No player and no club knows the winner of this year’s Ballon d'Or yet.'
The rumours keep flying in, however, and now it has emerged that Ancelotti is set to miss out on the best coach award, despite guiding Real to three trophies, including La Liga and the Champions League, ASreports.
This year's Ballon d'Or has gone from bad to worse for Real Madrid with manager Carlo Ancelotti the latest to be snubbed
Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid will now boycott tonight's glitzy Ballon d'Or ceremony
Ancelotti is set to miss out on the best coach award, despite guiding Real to three trophies, including La Liga and the Champions League
This particular honour is expected to go to Luis de la Fuente, who guided Spain to a memorable Euro 2024 triumph by beating England 2-1 in the final in Germany.
Other nominees include Xabi Alonso, who went 51 games unbeaten with Bayer Leverkusen; Gian Piero Gasperini, who took Atalanta to an unlikely Europa League win; Pep Guardiola, who won a sixth Premier League title at Manchester City; and Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's Copa America-winning coach.
The official unveiling of the new winner will be confirmed at Monday's glitzy awards ceremony, which is due to begin around 7pm (UK time).
But it seems that for most of the categories the cat is out of the proverbial bag, with Real so certain that star man Vinicius Jr has been snubbed that they are not bothering to travel.
'If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,' the club reportedly stated.
'Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.'
Some 50 people were expected to pile onto a private jet as part of the Spanish side's entourage but news that neither Vinicius nor Dani Carvajal had scooped up the top prize caused a last-minute change of heart.
Even though Andriy Lunin is expected to claim the best goalkeeper award and Arda Güler the young player category, no one from the club is expected to attend to pick up the trophies.
This particular honour is expected to go to Luis de la Fuente, who guided Spain to a memorable Euro 2024 triumph
This shock news comes after it was reportedly leaked that Man City 's Rodri has won the prize
Even though Andriy Lunin is expected to claim the best goalkeeper award, no one from the club is expected to attend to pick up the trophy
Vinicius was a hot favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or after his epic contribution leading Madrid's frontline to a LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double.
The Brazilian, 24, hit six goals and four assists in ten Champions League appearances and tallied 20 goal involvements in 26 LaLiga matches.
Voting is conducted by 100 journalists from the 100 best-ranked nations according to FIFA.