Vinícius Júnior has completed an almost dream-like year, having won 5 titles with Real Madrid in 2024. However, he's been left with a thorn in his side: not having won the Ballon d'Or. He was sure he would be the winner of this edition and didn't expect at all that Rodri would take it. After having won The Best, in Brazil they are clear about the reason for his defeat in the other award.
Speaking of Vinícius Júnior and the Ballon d'Or, journalist Milly Lacombe, from UOL, hasn't held back. "He won The Best cleanly and cleansed the soul of those who realized the obvious: He lost the award to Rodri because of racism," she stated in the Brazilian media.
The journalist continued: "'Oh, but does that mean Rodri is a bad player?' argue those who insist on staying on the surface of everything. No, Rodri Hernández is an extraordinary player. But, for reasons that have already been debated at length, he wasn't as decisive as Vinícius Júnior in the season in question."
"Nobody was. Vinícius Júnior lost to 'polite' Rodri because Vini bothers racists on and off the field," the Brazilian journalist concluded.
Vinícius Júnior Had Everything Ready to Win the Ballon D'Or
Vinícius Júnior stopped earning a million euros after the blunder by France Football and UEFA. It's the bonus he has signed with Real Madrid in case of winning the Ballon d'Or. However, his surprising defeat in the Ballon d'Or voting added more setbacks to the future plans of the Brazilian star.
Vinícius Júnior was filming a documentary for Netflix about his life. From the miseries of his childhood to the heights of glory, the Ballon d'Or. The series was very advanced at that time and required a grand finale. With Vini receiving the trophy, that would have recognized him as the best player in the world on the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet.
The team of professionals managing the player's image had everything planned. Even a special speech that would confirm the player as a flag bearer in the fight against racism in the world. The dreamed finale came to nothing due to a blunder. In Brazil, they are clear about the reason: Vinícius Júnior didn't win the Ballon d'Or because of racism.