Real Madrid believed Vinicius Junior would win the Ballon d’Or, but it was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri instead. Following the news, Madrid boycotted the ceremony, frustrated by the outcome. Vinicius, known for his exceptional skills and polarizing presence, faced significant challenges, including racism. His performances have made him a key player for Real Madrid, contributing to his team’s successes. Despite not winning, he remains a major focus in football, while Rodri’s recognition is acknowledged diplomatically.
Real Madrid is holding out hope for Vinicius Junior to receive the Ballon d’Or this year, but the award ultimately went to Rodri from Manchester City. Consequently, the Madrid club opted to boycott the event, leaving their star player as a source of frustration.
Despite a disheartening 4-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in the recent Clasico, Vinicius Junior remained optimistic as he prepared to fly to Paris for the Ballon d’Or ceremony. The 24-year-old even jokingly responded to Gavi from Barcelona, who held up four fingers to signify Madrid’s conceded goals, stating confidently, ‘Yes, yes, but on Monday I’ll win the Ballon d’Or.’
However, the outcome was not in his favor. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, amidst a veil of secrecy surrounding the awards, news leaked that Vinicius would not be taking home the trophy. Former player Toni Kroos, placed ninth in the rankings, suggested that there was a strong belief within the club that Vinicius would win. When asked if he would join the squad in Paris, Kroos declined.
In the end, it was Rodri who claimed the title of the best player, having led Manchester City to victory in both the English Premier League and the European Championship with Spain. Rodri highlighted the demands placed on professional footballers before suffering a cruciate ligament injury himself.
A Notable Boycott
Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the event overshadowed Rodri’s achievement. They canceled their chartered flight and did not send any representatives to the ceremony. A statement was released that criticized the award’s criteria, asserting that if they did not recognize Vinicius as the winner, then the same standards should have declared Carvajal the winner. ‘Since this was not the case, it is clear that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not show respect for Real Madrid. Real Madrid will not tolerate disrespect,’ the statement read.
It’s noteworthy that Vinicius Junior is at the center of this controversy. He is both admired and criticized for his playstyle and demeanor. ‘I’m not a saint. Sometimes I may be too talkative, or my dribbling can be excessive,’ he admitted in the past. Known for his trash talk, one viral moment shows him tossing a ball back to Joshua Kimmich during a Champions League semi-final, highlighting his playful yet provocative style.
Vinicius is undoubtedly a polarizing figure, facing hostility from many fans outside of Madrid. He has bravely confronted the racism he encounters in Spain, frequently denouncing the hateful behavior. ‘I want to see more equality and less racism, so that Black individuals can live normal lives,’ Vinicius stated recently.
A Rising Star
Currently, Vinicius is recognized as one of the most exciting footballers worldwide. His contributions to Real Madrid, alongside other talents like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, are evident through his electrifying performances. He recently scored three goals in a 5-2 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, showcasing his exceptional skills. A standout moment involved him receiving the ball in his own half, sprinting past BVB captain Emre Can, and scoring from just outside the box.
Vinicius is living up to the hefty investment Real Madrid made in him six years ago, when he transferred from Flamengo for 45 million euros at just 16 years old. Initially, he struggled to handle such pressure but flourished under coach Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance. Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno remarked, ‘He reminds me of Pele.’ Following the Dortmund match, ‘Marca’ emphasized how Vinicius stepped up when his team needed him the most, arguing he deserved the Ballon d’Or.
Meanwhile, Rodri, the actual award recipient, took a diplomatic stance regarding the boycott. ‘They made their choice, so they didn’t want to be here. I’m focused on my club and my teammates,’ he remarked gracefully.