This last week hasn't been easy for Vinícius Júnior. First, Real Madrid suffered a tough 0-4 defeat against Barcelona. Just days later, the Brazilian saw the Ballon d'Or slip away from him, an award that many believed was his.
The trophy ultimately went to Manchester City's Rodri, a decision that surprised many. The disappointment has been huge for Vinícius, who was expecting to receive the award and doesn't understand 'France Football''s' choice.
Real Madrid, upset by the result, decided not to attend the awards ceremony in Paris. Although the club was named the best men's team of the year, and Carlo Ancelotti received the award for best coach, no representative of the club was present to collect the trophies. This absence was a sign of disagreement and showed the discontent of the squad and the board with the outcome of the awards.
Vinícius Júnior is very touched
Vinícius, for his part, has felt the blow personally. The striker has worked hard during the last season, being a key player in every game. His numbers and his influence on the game supported his candidacy. In this context, losing the Ballon d'Or feels like an unexpected setback and difficult to digest.
This also adds to the growing annoyance that the Brazilian player feels due to the constant controversy that surrounds him on and off the field.
Vinícius's friend breaks the silence
Karim Benzema, his friend and former teammate at Real Madrid, has spoken out about Vinícius'ss state of mind. In a recent interview, Benzema revealed how the young player feels after finishing second in the Ballon d'Or. “It's a difficult moment for him,” Benzema confessed.
He also clarified that Vinícius is firm in his desire to continue working to one day win the award. “He is sad, as is normal, but he has the mental strength to move forward. I spoke to him yesterday, and I know he will continue working. One day he will win it,” said the Frenchman.
The relationship of friendship and respect between Benzema and Vinícius has been key at this time. Benzema, who has experienced the ups and downs of the awards, understands the effort and expectations of his friend. In addition, he didn't hesitate to praise his quality and to show his disagreement with the result. For Benzema, Vinícius deserved the Ballon d'Or and made it clear that, in his opinion, no other player was as decisive last season.
This week has been a blow to Vinícius Junior's spirits. The defeat against Barcelona and the decision to win the Ballon d'Or have created a difficult scenario. However, the Brazilian has the support of his entourage and the determination necessary to stay in the fight. At 24, Vinícius knows that he still has a long way to go and, despite the disappointments, his ambition remains intact.