Vinicius Jr., the Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, expressed his disappointment after losing the prestigious Ballon d’Or award to Manchester City’s Rodri. Vinicius, who played a pivotal role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga double, was widely considered the favorite for the award.
However, the decision to award Rodri came as a surprise to the football world. Hours before the ceremony, Real Madrid announced that its delegation would not attend due to the perceived snub of Vinicius.
Vinicius took to social media after finishing second in the voting, tweeting, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.” His management explained that the post referred to his fight against racism, which they believe contributed to his loss.
Vinicius has faced racial abuse multiple times during his Real Madrid career, leading to convictions for racist insults. His teammates and fellow football stars expressed support, with Eduardo Camavinga calling him “the best player in the world.”
Brazilian women’s football legend Marta questioned the decision, saying, “I waited all year for Vini Jr to be deservedly recognized as the best player in the world, and now they come to tell me that the Ballon d’Or is not for him?”
Vinicius will look to respond on the pitch when Real Madrid faces Valencia on Saturday. The Brazilian will be determined to prove his worth and send a message to those who believe he is not deserving of the Ballon d’Or.
