Vinicius Jr., who had an outstanding season and was considered one of the top contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, will have to wait for his chance at the prestigious award. Instead, the honor went to Manchester City’s Rodri, a decision that has sparked significant debate, especially among Real Madrid supporters. Notably, Vinicius and Real Madrid chose not to attend the ceremony, a move seen as a silent protest.
Those close to Vinicius speculate that his outspoken stance against racial abuse may have impacted the vote. Known for actively addressing racial issues and supporting fellow players like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Vinicius has become a strong advocate, often in defiance of intense rivalries. This advocacy has made him a prominent figure in both football and social issues, and some believe his activism might have unintentionally influenced voting opinions.
On the other hand, France Football clarified that the voting results were strictly based on numbers, with editor Vincent Garcia addressing Real Madrid’s absence. He explained that Vinicius simply didn’t receive enough votes to win. Garcia also pointed out that with Real Madrid stars like Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal ranking high on the list, vote splitting may have worked against Vinicius.
Garcia went on to praise Rodri’s performance, emphasizing the significance of a defensive midfielder winning the Ballon d'Or, a rare achievement for his position. Full voting details are set to be published in France Football’s upcoming issue on November 9, which will shed more light on the decisions behind this year’s award.