In the FC Barcelona dressing room, Vinícius's disappointment at being deprived of the Ballon d'Or has been celebrated as a victory.
There are many players in the blaugrana squad who have had problems on the field with the Brazilian star of Real Madrid.
The last one was Gavi, who listened on Bernabéu field, with the score at 4-0, that Vinícius told him he would be given the Ballon d'Or on Monday.
He didn't, in the end. But it's not Gavi, Araújo or Koundé, those who have suffered the most, who have been the most pleased by Rodri's triumph.
The Happiest Player After Vinícius's Disappointment
The one who has received the news with the greatest joy is Eric García. On March 20, 2022, he played the classic at Bernabéu with a result that is already starting to become familiar: 4-0. At that time, Xavi was the coach of Barça.
The goals were scored by Aubameyang (two), Araújo and Ferran. With the result in his favor, Eric García took advantage of a moment in the game to respond to Vinícius's previous provocations.
"Next year, you'll win the Ballon d'Or," he said, pointing at him with his finger. A true premonition. He said it in a mocking tone and the mockery continues.
It wasn't the following year. It was two years later when the stars of the media environment closest to Real Madrid lined up so that Vinícius would win the Ballon d'Or.
The 100 journalists from five continents chose not to agree with the biased narrative of the Real Madrid media. Indeed, Vinícius didn't won the Ballon d'Or two years later either.
Eric García, who was expecting the beating, celebrates that his double-meaning sentence still stands. Vinícius still hasn't won the Ballon d'Or two years later.
Did Eric García's Prophecy Backfire?
Diario Madridista, for example, recently published: "What was just mockery for Eric García, an attempt to insult Vinícius, has clearly turned against him. It's turned into a kind of prophecy that was about to be fulfillled, that was taking shape."
"It's true that it wasn't "next year" but two years later, yet the evolution, impact and level reached by Vinícius this season is beyond doubt. It brings him brilliantly closer to what for many seemed impossible: the Ballon d'Or ."
We will have to keep waiting. It's not enough that the media closest to Florentino Pérez want it. It's necessary that the 100 journalists who vote believe it too, which is not the case.