Vinicius Jr. will need to wait longer for his first Ballon d’Or victory, despite his standing as a top contender. This year, the award went to Rodri, causing controversy and disappointment, particularly within Real Madrid’s circle. Vinicius, who had an outstanding season, opted out of attending the ceremony, and Real Madrid similarly chose to boycott it, a move seen by many as a strong statement of discontent.
Those close to Vinicius believe that his ongoing battle against racism might have impacted the voting. Known for his outspokenness on racial issues, especially in supporting players like Lamine Yamal, Vinicius has become a prominent advocate, even with on-field rivalries. His supporters suspect that his activism may have influenced some voters, though this remains speculative.
France Football, however, maintains that the results were purely based on vote counts. Editor Vincent Garcia voiced his disappointment over Real Madrid’s absence, clarifying that Vinicius simply didn’t gather enough votes. Garcia noted that Real Madrid’s diverse talent, with players like Bellingham and Carvajal also ranking in the top 5, might have split the votes among them.
Garcia also commended Rodri’s achievement, emphasizing his role as a defensive midfielder—a position rarely awarded the Ballon d’Or—and highlighted its significance for Spanish football. The detailed voting breakdown will be published in France Football’s November 9 i
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