The Ballon d’Or award presented to Manchester City midfielder Rodri has caused confusion and disappointment among current and former Real Madrid players, who believe the award should have gone to runner-up Vinícius Júnior.

No Real Madrid representatives traveled to the awards ceremony in Paris after it was announced the prestigious trophy would not go to the Brazilian striker.

Vinícius Júnior himself also hinted that he does not agree with the result: “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They are not ready for it yet,” the Brazilian wrote on social media platform X.

In a statement published by Spanish newspaper El País, the club said: “It is clear that the Ballon d’Or does not respect Real Madrid. Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”

The award, voted on by journalists in a poll jointly organized by France Football and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), saw Rodri take first place, followed by Vinícius Júnior and his Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.

Real midfielder Eduardo Camavinga described the vote as “football politics”, writing on X next to a photo of himself and Vinícius Júnior: “My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise.”

Toni Kroos, who completed his successful career at Real Madrid this summer, posted a photo next to Vinícius Júnior on Instagram with the caption ‘the best’.