- Vinicius Junior confirms Real Madrid instructed him not to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
- The club cancelled travel plans after reports leaked that Rodri would win the award.
- Vinicius insists he didn’t feel betrayed and remains focused on future achievements.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has revealed that the club instructed him not to attend last year’s Ballon d’Or award ceremony.
The Brazilian was widely regarded as a strong contender for the prestigious honour, with many predicting he could surpass Manchester City’s Rodri in the final voting.
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However, on the day of the event, Real Madrid abruptly scrapped their delegation’s travel plans after reports leaked that Rodri would be crowned the world’s best player. Even Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who was named Manager of the Year, skipped the ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, Vinicius downplayed the situation: “I didn’t feel betrayed [by not winning]. People vote based on their own criteria. I have my own opinions, and so do my teammates. Winning the Ballon d’Or was never my dream, but of course, when you come close, you want it. I’ll have more chances to win other awards. I’ve already won two Champions Leagues, and I’m here to win many more.”
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When asked why he missed the ceremony, he simply stated: “It was always the club’s decision. I follow their instructions. They asked me to stay in Madrid, and I complied without any issues.”
