Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. has finally addressed his unexpected loss of the Ballon d’Or award, voicing his feelings after Manchester City midfielder Rodri took home the prestigious honor. On Monday, Vinicius shared a powerful message on social media, underscoring both his determination and the deeper challenges he perceives within the football world.
Despite his pivotal role in Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga successes, Vinicius Jr. was passed over for the award, a decision that left fans and analysts alike stunned. Real Madrid, which had eight players nominated across categories, chose not to attend the ceremony in Paris at the Chatelet Theatre, citing frustration with what they viewed as a lack of recognition for Vinicius.
Vinicius Jr. tweeted in response, writing, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.” His management later clarified that the post wasn’t solely about missing out on the Ballon d’Or, but about his ongoing struggle against racism—a topic Vinicius has openly confronted. “A player who challenges the system isn’t welcomed in the football world,” a representative told Reuters.
This year alone, Vinicius Jr. has faced multiple incidents of racial abuse during matches in Spain, leading to historic court convictions in cases involving racist insults. His firm stance against racism has won him admiration and respect, yet Vinicius and his team believe it may have influenced the voting outcome.
After the announcement, support for Vinicius Jr. poured in from across the football world. Eduardo Camavinga, his Real Madrid teammate, posted an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter): “FOOTBALL POLITICS X. My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can prove otherwise. Love you, my bro.” Brazilian icon Marta expressed her disappointment on Instagram, saying, “I waited all year for Vini Jr to be rightfully recognized as the best player in the world. And now, they’re telling me the Ballon d’Or isn’t for him?”
As Real Madrid gears up to face Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium on Saturday, Vinicius Jr. has another opportunity to showcase why he believes his fight—and his football—deserve global recognition. Fans are eager to see how this snub fuels his performance in the months ahead, with the Ballon d’Or conversation now likely to linger until next year’s awards.
