Vinicius Junior's Defiance Following Ballon d'Or Snub: 'I Will Do It Again Ten Times'
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior has responded with determination after missing out on the 2024 Ballon d'Or, despite being a favorite among betting agencies. The Brazilian forward finished second in the prestigious ranking, just behind Manchester City's Rodri Hernández, who claimed the award. Posting on the social media platform X, Vinicius expressed his commitment to achieving the accolade in the future, stating, "I will do it ten times if necessary. They are not prepared."
This heartfelt message came after the winners were announced at a gala in Paris, which saw Vinicius overshadowed by his fellow competitors. Rodri's victory is particularly noteworthy as he becomes the first male Spanish player to win the Ballon d'Or since Luis Suárez in 1960.
Vinicius's reaction has drawn attention, not just for his resilience, but also for the support he received from teammates. Following the announcement, several players from Real Madrid rallied around the young star, sharing messages of encouragement. Eduardo Camavinga was particularly vocal in his support, attributing Vinicius's snub to "football politics," and asserting, "My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. I love you, brother."
Other teammates, including Éder Militao and Andriy Lunin, echoed similar sentiments, reaffirming that no accolade could diminish Vinicius's talent. Militao wrote, "You are the best, and no one can take that away from you." Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Toni Kroos shared a touching photo embracing Vinicius, simply captioning it with, "The best."
Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Best Coach award but was absent from the ceremony, also expressed gratitude towards Vinicius and emphasized the importance of family and teamwork in his acceptance message.
Aurelien Tchouaméni joined the discussion as well, defending his teammate amidst the controversy surrounding the voting process.
Vinicius Junior’s fierce reaction and the overwhelming support from his club underline not only his potential but also the camaraderie within the Real Madrid squad. As the football world continues to discuss the implications of the Ballon d’Or results, Vinicius’s words serve as a reminder of his ambition: not just to compete, but to dominate on the global stage in the seasons to come.
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