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Rodri Outshines Vinicius Jr. To Win 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or

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Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has been awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or, capping a standout season where he was pivotal in securing Manchester City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title and led Spain to victory at Euro 2024.

However, the award ceremony in Paris was marked by Real Madrid’s absence as the Spanish club staged a boycott over Vinicius Junior’s exclusion from the top prize.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Lamine Yamal Wins Kopa Trophy For Best Under-21 Footballer

Rodri’s win, announced during the glamorous ceremony at the Châtelet Theatre on Monday night, was unexpected to many, as Real Madrid’s Vinicius had been widely seen as a favorite following a stellar season that saw Madrid claim both La Liga and Champions League titles.

Accepting the award, Rodri expressed gratitude toward his teammates and coaches, saying, “It’s an honor to be here, and I owe so much to my club and country. Football is a team effort, and I’m here because of the dedication of everyone around me.”

The evening also saw Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati win her second consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or, following a season in which she led Barcelona to a historic quadruple and helped Spain secure the Nations League title.

Hours before the ceremony, the club released a statement confirming it would not attend, citing “disrespect” toward Vinicius.

Madrid suggested that if the award did not go to Vinicius, it should have been awarded to Dani Carvajal, who scored a crucial goal in Madrid’s Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

“If the award criteria don’t favor Vinicius, then they should favor Carvajal,” the club stated to AFP. “Since that is not the case, it’s clear the Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid will not attend an event where it is not respected.”

Organizers from the Amaury group, which oversees the Ballon d’Or through L’Équipe and France Football, dismissed rumors of a leaked result, emphasizing that “no player or club” was informed in advance.

An international jury of 100 journalists ultimately selected Rodri from a competitive shortlist, but the decision stirred controversy among fans and insiders alike.

While Real Madrid’s star-studded list of nominees, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, highlighted the club’s achievements, the exclusion of Vinicius left a contentious note on the night’s celebrations.

 

 

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Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return

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Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.

Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.

READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal

According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.

Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.

After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.

Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.

Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca

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Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.

This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.

Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.

READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea

The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.

While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.

Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.

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Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs

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RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.

This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.

READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release

The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.

Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.

With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.

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