Vinicius Jr. will have to wait longer for his first Ballon d’Or, despite being seen as a leading contender. This year’s award went to Rodri, causing controversy and disappointment, particularly among Real Madrid supporters. Vinicius, who had an outstanding season, opted not to attend the ceremony, and Real Madrid also boycotted the event, which many interpret as a strong protest.
Supporters close to Vinicius believe his ongoing battle against racism may have affected the voting results. The Brazilian star, known for advocating against racial abuse and supporting players like Lamine Yamal, has become a prominent voice on the issue, even amid intense rivalries. His team suspects that his activism may have influenced some voters negatively, although others view this as mere speculation.
France Football maintains that the results were determined solely by voting numbers and not influenced by bias. Editor Vincent Garcia expressed disappointment over Real Madrid’s absence, stressing that Vinicius simply did not receive enough votes. He noted that with teammates like Bellingham and Carvajal also in the top five, votes may have been divided among the Real Madrid players, highlighting the club’s wealth of talent.
Garcia also commended Rodri for his role as a defensive midfielder, a position that seldom earns the Ballon d’Or, marking a significant milestone for Spanish football. The complete voting details will be published in the November 9 issue of France Football.
