The Impact of Racism: Vinicius Jr Reveals Why He Missed Out on Ballon d’Or
Vinicius Jr. has expressed his commitment to continue fighting against racism, despite believing that his activism may have influenced his chances of winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
After finishing second to Manchester City’s Rodri, he took to social media to assert that he would persist in his efforts against racial injustice, stating, “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready”.
His management team suggests that the football community is still grappling with a player who actively challenges systemic issues, which they believe might have contributed to his not receiving the award.
Real Madrid, anticipating this outcome, chose to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony, underlining their solidarity with Vinicius and his cause.
Vinicius’s fight against racism has included raising awareness after facing racial abuse in Spain, leading to convictions for racist insults directed at him.
Despite not winning the award, he remains a central figure in Real Madrid’s recent successes, contributing significantly to their Champions League and La Liga victories.