Vinicius Jr. believes that his outspoken stance against racism may have kept him from winning the Ballon d’Or, a report claims.

The Brazilian forward, who has been a strong voice in the fight against racism, recently lost out on the prestigious title to Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri, with his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham coming in third.

Real Madrid’s Stance on the Ballon d’Or Snub

Before the ceremony in Paris, Real Madrid players and coaching staff reportedly discussed a boycott after learning Vinicius Jr. would not take home the award.

This sentiment reflected the team’s disappointment in what they saw as a lack of recognition for Vinicius’ performance and commitment on and off the field.

Vinicius’s Bold Response

Shortly after the results were announced, the 24-year-old took to social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.”

This message, as reported by Reuters, alluded to his ongoing battle against racism in the sport.

Vinicius has been vocal about his experiences and has insisted on the need for change within football culture.

A Personal Battle in the Public Eye

A member of Vinicius’s management team reportedly commented, “The football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.”

Vinicius has faced racist abuse numerous times over recent years, and he has used his platform to call for accountability and improvement.

Just last month, he publicly questioned Spain’s suitability to host the 2030 World Cup if racism isn’t addressed, sparking a strong response from LaLiga president Javier Tebas.

LaLiga’s Pushback Against Vinicius’s Remarks

LaLiga President Javier Tebas responded to Vinicius’s statements, labeling them “incoherent.”

Tebas suggested that Vinicius’s comments were contradictory, as he both warned about the risk of Spain hosting the World Cup amid racism issues and acknowledged that Spain is not fundamentally a racist country.

Tebas concluded, “Let’s remove what is incoherent and keep what is coherent: that Spain is not a racist country, and on that, I agree with Vinicius.”

Vinicius’s Emotional Plea

The Brazilian forward’s emotional connection to this cause is evident, as he reportedly broke down at a press conference earlier this year when discussing the subject.

Vinicius urged that, should Spain fail to address racism adequately by 2030, the World Cup should be relocated.

“If the situation with racism in Spain does not improve before 2030, the World Cup would have to be moved to a different location,” he stated.

Vinicius added that players should feel safe and respected in the countries where they compete.

An Overlooked Favorite for the Ballon d’Or

Vinicius entered the Ballon d’Or conversation with strong credentials after a remarkable season, contributing six goals and four assists in just ten Champions League matches and achieving 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga games.

Many believed he was the frontrunner for the award, with Real Madrid even issuing a statement ahead of the ceremony, highlighting his merits and the club’s displeasure.

“If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,” the statement read.

The club asserted that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA’s failure to honor Vinicius demonstrated a lack of respect for Real Madrid.

What Lies Ahead for Vinicius Jr.?

With the Ballon d’Or now behind him, Vinicius appears to remain resolute in both his career ambitions and his mission to address racism in football.

His determination to continue his fight, regardless of the impact on his public image or award prospects, reflects his commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment within the sport.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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