Striker Vinicius Jr. declared himself to Real Madrid this Tuesday (29), one day after come second in the Ballon d’Oran award that was boycotted by the Spanish team, which did not attend the ceremony.
The Brazilian published a photo of the Madrid cast and, with hearts in the caption, was succinct: “Together”.
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The Spanish club won the Men’s Club of the Season awardbut, as no merengue representative was there, those responsible for presenting the 2024 edition just congratulated the team and continued with the award ceremony as normal.
The reason for the boycott was support for Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid, outraged upon learning that the Brazilian would not win the men’s Ballon d’Or, decided to boycott the award, canceling the trip for its entire delegation.
According to what he heard ESPN According to sources linked to the club, the Brazilian not receiving the honor at the event promoted by France Football magazine, in partnership with UEFA, is “unfair” and “shameful”.
The same source confirmed that the decision not to attend the Théâtre du Châtelet was a form of protest, for what was called “a historic robbery”.
In addition to the Brazilian, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde were other Real players among the finalists for the Ballon d’Or. Andriy Lunin, in turn, competed for best goalkeeper (beaten by Dibu Martínez); Arda Guler for the Kopa Trophy for best young player (won by Lamine Yamal); and Carlo Ancelotti, as best coach — the Italian won the award.
🤍 TOGETHER 🤍 pic.twitter.com/PZQc5hyOtN
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 29, 2024
The Ballon d’Or Saga: Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid’s Boycott
So, it appears we’ve got a bit of drama brewing over in the world of football, and if there’s one thing I love, it’s a good bit of melodrama served up with a side of scandal. It’s like watching a soap opera—but with more running, fewer broken hearts, and an awful lot more shin pads. This week, Vinicius Jr. took the stage—or perhaps more accurately, failed to take the stage—at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which just screams for a proper commentary.
The Setup
Our Brazilian sensation was left fuming after he finished second in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Queuing up his intro just like a magician about to pull a rabbit from a hat, except instead, it was just a whole lot of nothing. Real Madrid, fierce and fabulous in their loyalty, decided to boycott the grand event altogether. Talk about a power play! They were so unamused by what they deemed a “historic robbery” that they canceled their entire trip to the awards—an entire club on a group protest adventure. Someone pass the popcorn, please!
Boycotting a Ballon?
The boycott was a show of unity with Vinicius Jr.—because nothing says “We support you” quite like not showing up to the party. They were awarded Men’s Club of the Season, but it was as if someone won a goldfish in a game of darts without actually having to show up at the arcade. Congratulations? More like a consolation prize without the prize!
Why the Drama?
According to the whispers of the footballing underworld (or probably just a reliable ESPN source), the club was spitting feathers over Vinicius not snagging that coveted golden ball. They’ve branded the decision as “unfair” and “shameful”—feelings that most of us can empathize with when we lose our keys… or our dignity, but I digress. The idea that Vinicius was left off the winner’s list didn’t just rattle Madrid fans; it set the club on fire with indignation!
Other Notable Mentions
Vinicius had some comrades in arms as well. Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and the rest of the squad joined the list of finalists for various awards. Poor Andriy Lunin, however, could only sit back and watch as the best goalkeeper award went to someone else, proving that even in football, the real prize might just be learning how to deal with disappointment.
🤍 TOGETHER 🤍 pic.twitter.com/PZQc5hyOtN
The Elephant in the Room
So, let’s break it down: Vinicius Jr. is not just a footballer; he’s practically the poster boy for the “fury of the disenfranchised.” You’ve got to hand it to him and Real Madrid for making quite the statement. Maybe next year, just maybe, there will be a potential for retribution, or at least a very dramatic rematch at the awards! Who doesn’t love a good comeback story?
Conclusion: What Next?
As we eagerly await what future antics Vinicius and Real Madrid might have up their sleeves, one thing is clear: the world of football is never short of clichéd soap opera storylines, resulting in legendary headlines and unforgettable moments. So, buckle up, folks! Whether it’s brilliant goals or wild controversies, there’s never a dull day when it comes to our beloved beautiful game.
Striker Vinicius Jr. made a bold declaration of allegiance to Real Madrid this Tuesday (29), a day after his impressive second-place finish in the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The ceremony, however, marked a contentious moment for the Spanish club, which opted to boycott the event entirely in response to the perceived injustice regarding Vinicius Jr.’s recognition.
The talented Brazilian forward shared a heartfelt image of the Real Madrid squad on social media, captioning it simply yet powerfully with the word “Together” accompanied by heart emojis, signifying unity amidst the controversy.
The Spanish club did manage to secure the accolade for Men’s Club of the Season, although the absence of any Real Madrid representatives at the event led to a situation where the presenters merely acknowledged the team’s achievement before proceeding with the ceremony as planned.
Real Madrid’s decision to boycott was fueled by outrage over the belief that Vinicius Jr. was wrongfully denied the men’s Ballon d’Or. The club’s administration was incensed upon learning of the Brazilian’s exclusion from the winner’s spotlight, prompting them to cancel the trip for their entire delegation in an act of solidarity.
Sources connected to the club conveyed to ESPN that Vinicius not being honored during the high-profile event organized by France Football in collaboration with UEFA was viewed as “unfair” and “shameful.” This sentiment resonated deeply among the players and fans alike.
In a powerful statement of protest, the decision not to attend the awards ceremony at the renowned Théâtre du Châtelet was referred to as a response to what has been labeled “a historic robbery” in football recognition.
Alongside Vinicius Jr., other notable Real Madrid players also contended for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, including Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rudiger, and Federico Valverde. Moreover, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin contested for the best goalkeeper title but was surpassed by Dibu Martínez; while Arda Guler was a finalist for the Kopa Trophy for best young player, which ultimately went to Lamine Yamal. Notably, Carlo Ancelotti was honored as the best coach, successfully taking home the award for his exceptional leadership.
🤍 TOGETHER 🤍 pic.twitter.com/PZQc5hyOtN
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 29, 2024