Real Madrid forward Vinícius Junior stirred controversy by not attending the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris. Before the event, he considered himself the winner, backed by the club's machinery; however, moments before the gala, it was revealed that he would not receive the award.
"My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise," Vinícius expressed on social media after learning that the prize had been awarded to Spanish player Rodri Hernández from Manchester City. This decision led the Brazilian player and his team to decide not to attend the ceremony, despite everything being prepared to celebrate his supposed victory.
Real Madrid felt snubbed for not sending representatives to the event, even though other significant awards were given to club members, such as Kylian Mbappé, Carlo Ancelotti, and the merengue team itself. Support and solidarity for Vinícius Junior were swift, with messages of support from several team members, including coach Ancelotti.
Despite the disappointment, Vinícius received displays of affection and support from his teammates and fans. The controversy surrounding the Ballon d'Or ceremony erupted, and the unexpected outcome left the Brazilian forward off the podium, despite considering himself deserving of the recognition.
