A wave of support has swept through the footballing world after Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was surprisingly overlooked for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri.
The Brazilian winger, who played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Several high-profile figures in football have voiced their disbelief at the decision.
Real Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga took to social media to suggest “football politics” may have played a role, while AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes expressed their support.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison penned an emotional message, stating, “Vini not getting that Ballon d’Or was embarrassing, and the only person who lost today was football.”
Even legendary figures like Ruud Gullit and Franck Ribery questioned the decision, with Gullit stating, “I think Vinicius” should have won the award.
Real Madrid decided to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony, highlighting their disappointment with the outcome.
The club’s absence led to awkward moments, such as the unclaimed trophies for Club of the Year and Coach of the Year.
