Vinicius Jr. Misses Big Payday as Rodri Claims Ballon d’Or, Sparking Real Madrid’s Boycott
Vinicius Jr. missed out on more than just football’s biggest individual accolade this week—he also lost a significant bonus, reportedly worth €1 million (£833,000), after coming up short in the Ballon d’Or race. The award, which went to Manchester City’s Rodri, rewarded his incredible season that saw him capture both the Premier League title and lead Spain to victory in the European Championship.
Real Madrid’s frustration with the outcome led them to boycott the event entirely. Despite their stellar season and several players ranking highly on the final list, the team chose not to attend Monday night’s ceremony in Paris. According to Globo, the €1 million bonus clause for winning the Ballon d’Or was included in Vinicius’ latest contract renewal—an incentive that Karim Benzema had also previously enjoyed.
Rodri’s Stellar Season and Vinicius’ Defiant Response
Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win capped an exceptional year, with his contributions to both club and country putting him at the top of the list. Vinicius, who had hoped to be the first Brazilian since Kaka in 2007 to claim the prize, made his feelings known soon after Rodri received the award, posting on X, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” hinting at his resolve to pursue the title in future seasons.
Vinicius had been a favorite going into the 2024 Ballon d’Or race, thanks to a remarkable season where he led Real Madrid to a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. His stats speak for themselves—six goals and four assists across ten Champions League games, and 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches.
Ahead of the ceremony, Real Madrid released a statement with a touch of sarcasm, saying, “If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner.” The club argued that “it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid,” emphasizing their decision to steer clear of an event where they felt overlooked.
Madrid’s Absence: Awkward Moments and Uncollected Trophies
The absence of Real Madrid players and officials resulted in some awkward moments during the awards night. The club won the title of Men’s Club of the Year, but with no one there to accept it, the award went uncollected. Just moments later, Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Coach of the Year, but once again, no one was present to acknowledge the honor.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid players found themselves edged out in the rankings. Kylian Mbappe landed in sixth place, while Erling Haaland finished fifth. Jude Bellingham took third, while Carvajal also finished high on the list but missed the top spots.
Former Real Madrid icon Clarence Seedorf suggested another layer to the story. Speaking to TNT Sports Brasil, he shared his own theory, saying, “It seems that there is something between Real Madrid and UEFA that seems to be unresolved.” He went on to add, “The problems between Real Madrid and UEFA should be kept outside of these matters. It’s a shame.”
While Seedorf didn’t provide specific details on the nature of the rift, his comments hint at a deeper divide that may have influenced the voting process, leaving fans to wonder if politics played a role in the Ballon d’Or’s latest decision.
