After news broke earlier today that the selection panel had chosen the midfielder as their victor, Real Madrid and Vinicius decided to pull the plug on their trip to the gala, held at the Theatre du Chatelet.
The Spanish giants had hoped that if their Brazilian forward was not given the nod, right-back Dani Carvajal might be handed the gong after winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Euros.
But when it was leaked today that Rodri was in fact the winner, Real reacted furiously and not a single club representative was there to watch their team win several honours at the event and their players place highly in the main list.
Now Vinicius has broken his silence just minutes after an emotional Rodri picked up the award, in recognition for his roles in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and his club side’s fourth consecutive Premier League.
‘I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,’ he posted on X, hinting at future successes.
Vinicius was a hot favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after his epic contribution leading Madrid’s frontline to a LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double.
The Brazilian, 24, hit six goals and four assists in ten Champions League appearances and tallied 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches.
‘If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,’ the club stated earlier today.
‘Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.’
