In a move that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Paris Saint-Germain's talismanic forward Kylian Mbappé will not attend the prestigious 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. The absence of the French captain is particularly striking given his nomination for the sport's most coveted individual honour.
The situation took a more intriguing turn with confirmation from France Football, the award's organisers, that Mbappé did not exercise his right to vote in this year's election. This places him in rare company, as nearly all other high-profile players and managers submitted their selections for football's greatest prize.
A Breach of Protocol or a Silent Protest?
While the reasons behind Mbappé's dual snub—skipping the event and abstaining from voting—remain officially unconfirmed, the decision breaks sharply with established protocol. Nominees, especially those of Mbappé's calibre, are almost universally present at the glamorous event and actively participate in the voting process.
This is not the first time the 25-year-old has been at the centre of a Ballon d'Or narrative. Last year, he openly expressed his ambition to win the award, stating it was a "major objective." His absence this year fuels speculation about his current stance towards the honour and its governing bodies.
The Weight of a Vote
The Ballon d'Or voting system is a sacred tradition in football. Captains and coaches of every national team, along with selected journalists from around the globe, are entrusted with selecting their top five players. The collective result crowns the world's best player.
Mbappé, as captain of the French national team, held a significant vote. His decision to not submit his choices means the voice of one of football's most influential figures will be silent in this year's deliberation, a move that has not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike.
All eyes will now be on the Théâtre du Châtelet on October 28th. The ceremony will proceed, likely crowned by a winner from the familiar duo of Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland, but the story dominating the headlines may well be the one player who decided not to show up at all.
