Posting on X, Vinicius wrote, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” a statement that quickly went viral.
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Real Madrid notably boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, with the club announcing its decision not to attend due to what it viewed as a slight against Vinicius.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to
Carvajal as the winner,” Real Madrid told AFP.
“As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”
Real Madrid’s list of Ballon d’Or nominees included Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham alongside Vinicius Junior.
The Ballon d’Or winner is selected from this elite shortlist by an international panel of 100 specialist journalists. In response to widespread speculation, the Amaury group—owners of the L’Equipe sports daily and France Football magazine—denied to AFP that the winner’s name had been leaked, stating firmly that “no player or club” was informed of the result beforehand.
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri ultimately claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday after a stellar season that included his fourth consecutive Premier League title and a Euro 2024 win.
The decision was unexpected by many, as Vinicius Junior, instrumental in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double, was widely viewed as the frontrunner before the ceremony.
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