Just a day before Rodri was officially declared winner of the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Jr. confident that he would receive the prestigious honor.

This belief was not only held by Vinicius; Real Madrid, like his sponsors, were equally convinced that he would take home the prize.

However, in a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid received information that no player from their club would receive a reward, leaving them bewildered.

Events that followed

The club felt the last minute decision was disrespectful, and as a result they chose to stand their ground by choosing not to attend the event.

Real Madrid made it clear that they would not participate in a meeting where they felt their players and reputation were not given the respect they deserved.

In their statement they also pointed to UEFA’s involvement, suggesting they felt the governing body played a role in the perceived slight.

Casting support for Vinicius

Despite the disappointment, Vinicius continues to receive strong support from his teammates and others within the football community.

Real Madrid’s players and staff have expressed their support and stood by him after the unexpected change. In addition to his club, members of the Brazilian national team also quickly rallied behind him to show their solidarity.

The Brazilian Football Federation joined the growing support for Vinicius and shared a heartfelt message to express their pride and admiration for him. Posting on social media, they reminded Vinicius that he is cherished and supported by his entire nation.

‘Vini, your roots are golden. We will always be together. The whole nation is proud of you,” read the statement.

For Vinicius, the outpouring of support was a bright spot amid the disappointment. Although this year’s Ballon d’Or has not gone his way, it is clear that both his club and country hold him in high regard and are firmly behind him.