VINICIUS JUNIOR had to reportedly cancel a huge party and has been left “devastated” after missing out on the Ballon d’Or.
The Real Madrid star, 24, was convinced he was going to be crowned the best player on the planet at the glamorous ceremony in Paris on Monday.
Rodri pipped Vinicius Jr to Ballon d’Or glory[/caption]
Real Madrid boycotted the event in support of Vini[/caption]
But just hours before the show got underway, it was leaked that Manchester City’s Rodri was the winner instead.
Real Madrid were left furious and boycotted, with his team-mates and club chiefs all missing from the event.
Reports from Spanish outlet AS claim Vinicius is heartbroken over the snub.
He had to supposedly axe a pre-planned party for around 50 people.
Nike have had to scrap the specially designed boots they made to commemorate his success.
And they are now forced to adjust plans for him to unveil a new store in the centre of Madrid as the Ballon d’Or winner.
Real Madrid TV reportedly had five hours of programming in place to celebrate.
Vini even allegedly taunted Barcelona star Gavi in their 4-0 El Clasico defeat on Saturday by telling him: “I’m going to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday.”
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Real Madrid claimed Uefa “do not respect” the club in a furious statement.
And a defiant Vinicius tweeted: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Ballon d’Or chief Vincent Garcia has suggested that the Brazilian missed out as his team-mates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who came third and fourth respectively, took votes off him.
But many of his pals have came out to slam what they see as an injustice.
Among those is Brazil and Tottenham star Richarlison, who ranted: “All of us who live football eagerly await the individual awards each season.
“Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win an award for the best in the world after so long.
“Unfortunately, for reasons that no one can understand, the award did not come.
“And don’t get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best.
“But Vini not winning the Ballon d’Or was embarrassing, and the only one who lost today was football.
“I remember Vini saying that his dream was to see the whole of Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today.
“You are a giant and the best in the world, kid. And no trophy will change that. Keep going and never shut up. We’re together.”
Ballon d’Or 2024 results
- 1: Rodri, Man City and Spain
- 2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil
- 3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England
- 4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain
- 5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway
- 6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France
- 7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina
- 8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain
- 9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany
- 10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England
- 11: Phil Foden, Man City and England
- 12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany
- 13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain
- 14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria
- 15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain
- 16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland
- 17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay
- 18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina
- 19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway
- 20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey
- 21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England
- 22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany
- 23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal
- 24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France
- 25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England
- 26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England
- 27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal
- 28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain
- 29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany
- 30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine
