Vinicius Jr’s Awkward Evening: Gift Plans Go Awry After Ballon d’Or Snub
In a surprising turn of events, Vinicius Jr had promised each of his Real Madrid teammates an incredible gift in celebration of his expected Ballon d’Or win—only to find out he didn’t take home the award. The ceremony in Paris became particularly controversial as Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid squad opted not to attend after learning that Manchester City’s Rodri would be awarded the prestigious title.
Vinicius, a favorite for the accolade following a stellar season that saw him score 15 goals and contribute to Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph, had been confident in his chances. His standout performance included scoring in the Champions League final at Wembley, a moment famously heralded by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand as a “Ballon d’Or” moment.After Rodri’s victory was confirmed, Vinicius took to social media, stating, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” hinting at his determination to keep pushing forward.
Before the ceremony, reports revealed that Vinicius had hosted an extravagant party for family and friends, celebrating what he anticipated would be his crowning achievement. Plans were in place for him to gift each of his teammates a Rolex as a token of appreciation for their support throughout the season. However, he learned of the disappointing news only after the festivities had concluded.
France Football’s Chief Editor, Vincent Garcia, commented on the situation, asserting that neither Vinicius nor anyone from Real Madrid was privy to the results before the ceremony, emphasizing that they may have had suspicions but no certainty regarding the outcome.
Vinicius Jr finished as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or, behind Rodri, leaving him with mixed emotions as he navigates the fallout from a night that was supposed to be a celebration of his achievements.