- Vinicius Jr. vows to continue fighting racism despite losing the Ballon d’Or.
- His activism is believed to have impacted the award outcome.
- Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in solidarity with Vinicius.
- The club and manager Carlo Ancelotti received accolades for their success.
- Teammates and football legends voiced support for Vinicius’s talent and contributions.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr., representing Real Madrid, reaffirmed his commitment to combating racism on Monday, despite the personal cost to his career, including not winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Sources close to the player shared this insight with Reuters after Vinicius secured second place in the voting, falling behind Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Following the award announcement, Vinicius expressed his determination on social media, stating, “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready,” referring to his activism against racism. His club, Real Madrid, also boycotted the award ceremony in Paris, anticipating the Brazilian’s loss.
Vinicius’s management clarified that he believes his stance against racism may have influenced the outcome, asserting, “The football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.” At just 24, Vinicius has faced racial abuse multiple times in Spain, resulting in significant legal actions against offenders.
Despite Vinicius’s disappointment, Real Madrid achieved remarkable success, winning the men’s club of the year award, while manager Carlo Ancelotti was honored as the men’s coach of the year after leading the team to a European and Spanish league double last season.
The Ballon d’Or awards are determined by a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, and France Football, the organizing body, did not provide immediate commentary.
Vinicius’s teammates, including Eduardo Camavinga, publicly supported him, asserting on social media, “You are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise.” Brazilian football legend Marta also voiced her frustration in a video, lamenting that after a year of anticipation, Vinicius was not recognized as the best player.
In a stellar season, Vinicius played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s triumph, alongside Jude Bellingham, who scored 19 goals in his debut season and helped England reach the Euro 2024 final, finishing third in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
