Ballon d'Or Real Madrid Brazil supports Vinícius after snub

Vinícius Júnior's Real Madrid and Brazil teammates have backed the star striker after he lost out to Manchester City's Rodri in the race to win the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or.

Vinícius, 24, was widely expected to win the award on Monday, but he finished second behind Rodri, ahead of Jude Bellingham in third, Dani Carvajal in fourth and Erling Haaland in fifth.

Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony organized by France Football and UEFA because none of the club's nominees for the various awards – Vinícius, Bellingham, Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Arda Güler and coach Carlo Ancelotti – were present was. or club officials attending the event in protest.

A club source told ESPN the result was “unfair” and “shameful,” calling it “a historic robbery.”

Vinicius posted on social media later Monday: “I’ll do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready yet.”

The striker helped Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League double last season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, including the Champions League final.

Several of Vinicius' teammates at Madrid and the Brazilian national team reacted to the news on Monday and offered the player their support.

“Football politics,” wrote Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on X. “My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise.”

“You are the best and no one can take that away from you,” wrote Éder Militão – who plays with Vinícius for club and country.

“Nothing will take away what you have achieved, my brother,” said Aurélien Tchouaméni. “We ALL know…you are not ready for what you are about to deliver.”

While Vinicius stood out for Madrid last season, he had a tougher time with Brazil in the Copa América, scoring just two goals – in a 4-1 win over Paraguay – as the Brazilians were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

“Today all Brazilians who love football woke up with the expectation that after so long a player from our country will win an award as the best player in the world,” Brazilian striker Richarlison posted on Instagram.

“Unfortunately, the award did not come about due to criteria that no one can understand. And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best. But Vini didn't win this Ballon d'Or.” It's embarrassing and the only thing that lost today was football.

No Brazilian has won the award since Kaká in 2007, with Neymar coming third in both 2015 and 2017.

“I've been waiting for a whole year for Vini Junior to be rightfully recognized as the best player of the moment,” Brazil legend Marta said in an angry video posted on Instagram. “And now you're telling me they won't give him the Ballon d'Or? What a Ballon d'Or this is!”

“I admire you and wish you more than any of my successes,” West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paquetá wrote on Instagram. “I admire your story and the person you have become! You are the best! Even if they say otherwise!”