Vinicius Junior’s anticipation for the Ballon d'Or was at an all-time high, with celebrations planned to mark what he thought would be a momentous victory. However, things took a drastic turn at the last moment.
On October 29, France Football held the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Considered the most prestigious individual honor in football, the award went to Manchester City’s Rodri, one of the season’s standout players. Beating star forwards like Vinicius, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, Rodri claimed the Ballon d'Or as a defensive midfielder—a rare feat. Having contributed heavily to City’s fourth consecutive league title and Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory, Rodri became the first City player and the first Spaniard in 64 years to win the coveted award.
Vinicius Junior, however, had high hopes of winning. Last season, he proved pivotal for Real Madrid, amassing 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances, and playing a crucial role in securing the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. Yet, while Vinicius excelled domestically, his international performance with Brazil left something to be desired. In the 2024 Copa America, Brazil struggled, drawing with Costa Rica and Colombia in the group stage before a penalty shootout loss to Uruguay in the quarterfinals ended their run early.
Right up until the day of the ceremony, Vinicius believed he would clinch his first Ballon d'Or. According to Relevo, Vinicius had even arranged a gathering with 20 close friends, family members, and prominent figures from Real Madrid, including manager Carlo Ancelotti and club president Florentino Perez. Preparations included everything from tailored suits to a specially reserved celebration venue.
However, when the award was ultimately given to Rodri, Vinicius and his circle faced bitter disappointment. With the realization that their player would not win, Real Madrid decided to stage a last-minute boycott of the ceremony. Football insider Fabrizio Romano reported on October 28 that “Vinicius will not attend the ceremony; Real Madrid knows he is not the winner.” As a result, Perez, Ancelotti, Bellingham, and Vinicius all opted out of the event.
In line with their declaration, no Real Madrid personnel attended the ceremony, despite Ancelotti being awarded Manager of the Year and Real Madrid being named the Men’s Team of the Year. Kylian Mbappé, who shared the Gerd Müller Top Scorer Trophy with Harry Kane, also declined to appear. Venting his frustration, Vinicius later posted on social media, “If needed, I’ll play ten times harder.”
The absence of Real Madrid’s stars marked a contentious end to the Ballon d'Or ceremony, underscoring the intense emotions that come with such honors and the passionate reactions they inspire among players and clubs alike.