In a stunning turn of events at Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremonyReal Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who was heavily favored, missed out on the top prize, sparking widespread reactions from Brazilian media, fans and players.

Held in Paris, the annual event crowned Spain and Manchester City’s Rodri as the winner, with Vinicius leaving empty-handed, leading Real Madrid to boycott the event entirely.

The announcement came as a shock to many, especially considering Vinicius’ phenomenal season with Real Madridwhere he shone in La Liga, the Champions League and the European Super Cup, scoring 24 goals and providing nine assists in 39 matches.

Brazilian media, however, speculated that the Copa America played a key role in their defeat. “What perhaps weighed heavily was Vini Jr.’s performance with the Brazilian national team,” Estedao said, noting his difficulty in taking Brazil beyond the quarterfinals. A Tarde echoed the sentiment, noting that although Vinicius excelled in club football, his poor domestic performance could have influenced the result.

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Teammates and fans support Vinicius Jr. – Reaction snubbed by Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or snub struck a chord with Vinicius’ fans and teammates. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, his Brazilian teammate Richarlison expressed his frustration: “Today Brazilians woke up expecting to see another player from our country winning the World’s Best award after so long. Unfortunately, according to criteria that no one understands, the prize was not awarded.”

Richarlison on Instagram:

“Today, Brazilians woke up expecting to see another player from our country win the World’s Best Player award after so long. Unfortunately, according to criteria that no one understands, the prize was not awarded. Make no mistake, Rodri deserves to be one of… pic.twitter.com/3vSgd8njDc

– Brazilian football (@BrasilEdition) October 28, 2024

Richarlison recognized Rodri’s excellence but described Vinicius’ exclusion as “embarrassing”, suggesting the decision damaged the spirit of football itself.

His Real Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga also didn’t hold back on Twitter, posting: “FOOTBALL POLITICS My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise.”

FOOTBALL POLICY

My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. I love you my brother pic.twitter.com/X3yAH1Sl0p

– Eduardo Camavinga (@Camavinga) October 28, 2024

Lucas Paqueta and Gabriel Magalhães joined the outpouring of support on Instagram, calling Vinicius the “pride of our country” and the “best in the world.”

Lucas Paqueta on Instagram:

“I admire your story and the person you have become. You are the best, even if they say otherwise. I love you.” pic.twitter.com/4vIjwIIRRi

– Brazilian football (@BrasilEdition) October 28, 2024

Brazilian media suggested that Vinicius’ activism against racism could have influenced his chances. A recent article from Vinicius’ management confirmed his commitment to fighting racism, suggesting he may have sacrificed his chances of winning.

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After the event, Vinicius himself took to social media, writing: “I’ll do it 10 times if I have to. They are not ready,” emphasizing his determination to continue fighting against injustice, even at the cost of personal sacrifice.

Eu farei 10x se for precise. They are not prepared.

– Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 28, 2024

Despite this setback, Vinicius’ resilience and the support of his teammates and supporters reflect a growing recognition of his impact, not only as a footballer but also as a voice for change.

As the Brazilian star moves forward, the football world continues to follow his journey, knowing that his legacy is much more than an award.