Real Madrid Boycotts Ballon d’Or Ceremony Amid Discontent Over Vinícius Jr.’s Snub

In a bold move, Real Madrid opted to skip the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris on Monday night, a decision fueled by the disappointment surrounding their star player, Vinícius Jr., who did not win the award for best men’s player. This absence from one of soccer’s most celebrated events speaks volumes about the club’s sentiments regarding the recognition of its players.

The decision came after Manchester City midfielder Rodri was announced as the winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or, following an outstanding season that saw him contribute significantly to both his club and the Spanish national team. Vinícius Jr. finished in second place, outpacing his Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who took third and fourth, respectively.

Real Madrid’s management expressed their frustration, stating through multiple reports that they would not participate in events where they felt “not respected.” A source from the club remarked, “If the award criteria do not proclaim Vinícius Jr. the winner, those same criteria should proclaim Carvajal the winner. As this has not been the case, it is obvious that the UEFA Ballon d’Or does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.”

The award, which is voted on by journalists from the top-ranked countries worldwide, has come under scrutiny following this controversy. Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona Femení won her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin for best women’s player, which somewhat overshadowed the men’s award snub.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who attended the ceremony, expressed his surprise at Vinícius’s exclusion from the top honors. He suggested that unresolved tensions between Real Madrid and UEFA may have contributed to the situation. “I think Vini deserves this award. It seems like there’s something going on between Real Madrid and UEFA that hasn’t been resolved,” he commented.

Despite Rodri’s impressive achievements this past year, many fans and analysts had anticipated that Vinícius would take home the award. His dazzling performances played a crucial role in helping Real Madrid secure a record-extending 15th Champions League title and another La Liga championship. As the announcement approached, chants of “Vini” echoed through the crowd, showcasing the strong support he has among fans.

Following Rodri’s victory, Vinícius took to social media, stating, “I’ll do it 10 times if necessary. They are not ready.” On Tuesday, he shared a team photo on Instagram, captioned simply, “TOGETHER,” signifying unity with his teammates despite the disappointment.

His fellow players rallied around him on social media as well. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga declared, “FOOTBALL POLITICS. My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise.” Another teammate, Aurélien Tchouaméni, added, “Nothing will take away what you’ve achieved, my brother. We ALL know…”

In addition to Vinícius’s snub, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was named the men’s Coach of the Year, and forward Kylian Mbappé was recognized for being the joint top scorer from the previous season, alongside Harry Kane. Notably, neither Mbappé nor Ancelotti attended the ceremony, further emphasizing the club’s sentiments.

The repercussions of Real Madrid’s boycott were felt widely, with Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente commenting, “It is not good for football that a club as important as Madrid and with so many fans worldwide is not present at such a gala.” Even club legend Luís Figo, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2000, expressed his surprise at the decision to skip the event.

In contrast, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola seemed unfazed by Real Madrid’s absence, stating, “If they want to go, it’s fine. If they don’t, it’s fine as well. If they want to congratulate, it’s fine. If they don’t want to congratulate, it’s fine as well.”

As the fallout from the ceremony continues, Real Madrid’s stance underscores the fierce competition and emotional investment tied to individual awards in soccer. The club’s decision not to participate in the event not only reflects their feelings of disrespect but also highlights the importance they place on recognizing their players’ contributions to the sport.