Real Madrid faced yet another setback following their devastating 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico when they were informed that neither Vinicius Junior nor Dani Carvajal would win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The club had to cancel their planned trip to Paris, where the gala was scheduled to take place.
The decision not to attend the event came as a shock to everyone at Real Madrid, as they had been confident that Vinicius Junior would be named the winner. The Brazilian forward had played a crucial role in helping the team win the Champions League and La Liga, but the award ultimately went to Manchester City’s Rodri.
The news of Vinicius Junior’s loss was met with disappointment and frustration at the club. Plans for a celebration in Paris were scrapped, and special boots from his sponsor, Nike, went unused. The entire team rallied around Vinicius Junior, offering words of encouragement and support during this difficult time.
Real Madrid’s absence at the gala was noticeable, with no one there to accept the awards for men’s club of the year or men’s coach of the year, which went to Carlo Ancelotti. The club cited a lack of communication from France Football and hinted at tensions with UEFA as possible reasons for the unexpected outcome.
Despite the disappointment, Vinicius Junior remained resilient, surrounded by the unwavering support of his teammates and loved ones. The day left Real Madrid and their young star questioning what more he needed to do to be recognized with the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
In the end, the events surrounding the Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted the unpredictability and politics involved in football’s most prestigious individual accolade. Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior were left with a bitter taste in their mouths, but they vowed to continue striving for greatness on the pitch.