The Ballon d’Or organizers have responded quickly to the controversial absence of Vinicius Jr. and the Real Madrid stars at Monday’s ceremony.
Despite being considered one of the favorites to win football’s biggest award for solo achievement last year, the Brazilian striker came in second behind Manchester City’s Rodri.
After reports emerged earlier in the day that Vinicius would not lift the iconic Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid were reportedly not too happy with the decision, while ESPN Brazil claimed club sources called it a “historic theft.”
Given that Rodri was the key figure in arguably the best club team and the best national team of 2024 at City and Spain, it would seem justified to hand him the award, however, Vinicius Jr. is apparently not convinced.
However, after the gala in Paris, the editor-in-chief of France Football, responsible for the award, gave his verdict on why the Brazilian missed out and commented on his controversial absence.
Vinicius Junior did not win the Ballon d’Or on Monday night and refused to attend the ceremony in protest.
He came second behind Manchester City’s Rodri in football’s biggest individual award, with team-mate Jude Bellingham (centre) in third place.
The Spanish star had a fantastic 2024, winning the Euro Cup and the Premier League
Evidently, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top 5 because, mathematically, that took away some points from him. This also sums up Real Madrid’s season, which had between three and four players and the judges divided the decisions between them, which benefited Rodri,” explained Vicente García.
And he added: “I had a lot of pressure from Real Madrid but, as happens with other clubs, I was always clear, fair and perhaps my silence took them to the limit.”
But it was the same as with the others. His absence surprised me very unpleasantly.’
Any other night would have been considered nothing less than a huge success for the Spanish team.
Real Madrid picked up the award for best team of the year and coach of the year for Carlo Ancelotti.
However, apart from the fact that their star missed out on the men’s singles gong, arch-nemesis Barcelona also had a successful evening.
Their universally acclaimed La Masia academy produced another Kopa Trophy winner in Lamine Yamal, with superstar Aitana Bonmati also claiming a second consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Vinicius, meanwhile, had been the heavy favorite to win the Ballon d’Or this year, having scored 24 goals and registered 11 assists during a stellar campaign last time out.
Carlo Ancelotti named football’s best men’s coach for stellar year
Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won a second consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or
Rodri’s Spanish teammate, Lamine Yamal, collected the Kopa Trophy for best youth player
RMC reported that Madrid president Florentino Pérez was furious with the decision.
Journalist José Luis Sánchez stated that a party of 50 people was scheduled to take place, but that they canceled after discovering that Vinicius would not win.
Club sources told ESPN Brazil that the snub was a “historic theft.”
Marca also reported that Madrid insiders have furiously declared that “the Ballon d’Or no longer exists for us.”
A statement from Madrid to AFP said: “If the award criteria do not show Vinicius as the winner, those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner.
“Since it was not like that, it is clear that the UEFA Ballon d’Or does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.
The snub against Vinicius Junior was described as a ‘historic theft’ by Real Madrid sources according to ESPN Brazil
In response to Madrid’s boycott, Ballon d’Or organizers said in a statement: “No player or club yet knows the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or.”
Vinicius and Jude Bellingham were set to take their seats in the front row of the Theater du Chatelet, but their name tags were quickly removed after it was confirmed they would not be attending.