The prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony took place Monday night at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, with Brazilian fans and media expressing strong reactions to the news that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior missed out on the top honor. The highly anticipated event saw Manchester City midfielder Rodri claim the prize, leading Real Madrid to boycott the ceremony in solidarity with their star.
Real Madrid’s Bold Move in Support of Vinicius
Ahead of the Ballon d’Or event, rumors circulated that Vinicius Jr. would not be receiving the award despite being one of the strong contenders alongside Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and eventual winner Rodri. In response, Real Madrid made the decision not to send any representatives to Paris. This move was confirmed by renowned transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano, who noted that Real Madrid’s boycott highlighted their support for Vinicius.
Brazilian Media’s Perspective on Vinicius’ Loss
In Brazil, media outlets voiced their disappointment over Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or outcome, with many citing his performance with the Brazilian national team as a possible factor in the voting. Brazilian outlet Estadão suggested that the lack of a major international trophy with Brazil may have impacted Vinicius’ chances. They commented, “What may have weighed heavily, in the journalists’ assessment, is Vini Jr.’s performance with the Brazilian national team.” Vinicius, though outstanding with Real Madrid, faced criticism during Brazil’s Copa America run, where the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
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Similarly, A Tarde noted that while Vinicius had an exceptional club season with victories in La Liga, the Champions League, and the European Super Cup, his national team performance may have affected his Ballon d’Or prospects. They reported, “Despite the positive numbers, the striker had a poor performance in the Copa América, which must have influenced the vote.”
Rodri’s Triumph and Vinicius’ Season in Perspective
Ultimately, Rodri’s achievements, including a European Championship victory with Spain and a near-flawless season with Manchester City, seemed to secure his edge in the competition. His consistency and resilience reportedly played a major role in winning the Ballon d’Or over other favorites.
