Ballon d'Or 2024: Vinicius Junior Reacts to Rodri’s Win as Real Madrid Boycott Ballon d’Or Ceremony

Following a topsy-turvy Ballon d’Or ceremony in which Manchester City midfielder Rodri was awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Junior’s brief, yet impactful statement set the football community alight. He had been considered a frontrunner for the coveted prize due to a brilliant campaign for Real Madrid but a last-minute surprise was in store with Rodri clinching the award. Real Madrid, in return, boycotted the ceremony, making Vinicius and his counterparts not attend the ceremony.

Vinicius, an early favorite for the award, had a hand in both Champions League and La Liga wins of Real Madrid in the previous campaign. His displays were superb, which was evident by scoring a goal in the final for Madrid against Borussia Dortmund. However, on Monday morning, there were speculations that Rodri had emerged the winner of the award which is selected by 100 football journalists from FIFA’s top-ranked countries. A day before the ceremony, Madrid went public, saying that they would not be attending the event even though the club, the manager, and the players were to be honored.

As soon as Rodri’s victory was announced, Vinicius went on X (which used to be Twitter) to write: “I will do it 10x if they make me.” Not so,” he says, a clear reference to his stand. Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, who was awarded the Men’s Coach of the Year award, took to social media to express his gratitude to his family, his club, his players, with special mentions to Vinicius and Dani Carvajal.

Real Madrid’s dominance led them to win Men’s Team of the Year following their record-breaking 15^th UEFA Champions League and 36^th La Liga title. The ceremony proceeded uneasily with no representative from the Madrid team accepting the award and the same fate was meted out to Gerd Muller Trophy as well as the Coach of the Year award. Harry Kane shared the Gerd Muller Trophy with Kylian Mbappe, however, the Frenchman didn't attend.

Rodri's win raised the ire of Real Madrid fans, who believe that Vinicius deserved the award after a good season. Throughout the season, Vinicius should be appreciated by the fans of Real Madrid, who will be in the stands of Santiago Bernabéu, as well as actively buying Real Madrid tickets. As the fans are ready to support Vinicius for reaching even higher heights, the next matches at the Bernabéu will be charged. Buy Real Madrid tickets now to attend the next games of Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu!