Following Rodri's Ballon d'Or win, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior posted a cryptic message, fueling an already controversial night.Vinicius, widely tipped by bookmakers to win the prestigious award after a remarkable season, helped Real Madrid secure La Liga and a Champions League title, highlighted by his stellar performance in the final.However, Monday's announcement revealed Rodri as the winner, a decision made by 100 journalists from FIFA's top 100 member countries. The 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or Rodri leaving the ceremony, all smile 😄#ballondor pic.twitter.com/rVafcJFxwI- Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024Madrid's response was swift and noticeable-they announced their boycott hours before the Paris ceremony.
Vinicius posted on X, saying, "I'll do it 10x if I have to.
They're not ready," hinting at his commitment to proving his worth on the field.His Real Madrid teammates quickly supported him.
Eduardo Camavinga called Vinicius "the best player in the world," while Aurelien Tchouameni said, "We ALL know… They are not ready for what you're going to deliver."Even Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won Coach of the Year, mentioned Vinicius in his acceptance message, despite Real Madrid skipping the event.Real Madrid also claimed the Men's Team of the Year award, but with no one present to accept, the ceremony moved on quickly, leaving a noticeable absence.The team's silence on social media added to the tension, as they did not refer to the ceremony after a weekend defeat to Barcelona.