Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinícius Junior. has taken a powerful stance following his second-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting. The 24-year-old, who has endured multiple instances of racial abuse in Spain, expressed on Monday his resolve to continue fighting racism, even if it means compromising his chances at football’s highest individual honor. Close sources reported to Reuters that Vinícius believes his activism played a role in him missing out on the award, which went to Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder, Rodri.
After learning of the Ballon d’Or results, Vinícius took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.” His post was in response to Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the ceremony in Paris, a symbolic gesture as the club anticipated Vinícius would be overlooked for the men’s award.
When asked about the forward’s cryptic message, Vinícius’ management clarified to Reuters that his words were directed toward his ongoing fight against racism in the sport. According to his representatives, Vinícius feels the football world is “not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.”
The Brazilian forward’s journey has been marred by repeated racial abuse incidents, sparking crucial legal cases in Spain that have led to rare convictions for racist insults—a milestone in the country’s approach to handling racism in football. Despite these challenges, Vinícius has remained vocal about using his platform to address racial injustice, a commitment that now appears to come with personal and professional costs.
Interestingly, Real Madrid still earned recognition at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, securing the title of Men’s Club of the Year, while manager Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Coach of the Year following a highly successful season. Yet the club’s support for Vinícius in his anti-racism stance remains clear, as demonstrated by their absence from the event.
The Ballon d’Or voting process, organized by France Football and decided by a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, has yet to respond to the broader conversation sparked by Vinícius’ statement. The Brazilian’s commitment to pushing boundaries, however, shows no sign of slowing—sending a strong message about his dedication to change, both on and off the field.
