The snubbing of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr for the 2024 Ballon d'Or has spurred controversy in the sporting media, with varied opinions being expressed.
The Brazilian winger looked set to win the coveted award until news broke in the early hours of Monday, October 28, 2024, that Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri came tops in the polls.
With Real Madrid boycotting the entire ceremony and their fans and footballers in absolute meltdown, the award ceremony was once again shrouded in controversy as the proponents of ‘Vini for Ballon d’Or’ argued their cases on various media platforms.
Social media has been buzzing with heated debates as Real Madrid and their fans battle Manchester City and Barcelona fans who believe that awarding Rodri the Ballon d’Or was the right step.
Critics of Rodri are also reading racist meanings into the decision, believing Vinicius was overlooked because of his race.
Some football fans have also chided former Liberian president George Oppong Weah for not paying credit to some African footballers during his speech at the tournament.
George Weah paid tribute to English and Bayern Munich winger Harry Kane for his incredible career, but many believe he could have mentioned Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, who had a great season.
Players of Real Madrid also did not hide their disappointment as they took to their various social media platforms to vent their frustration over Vinicius Jnr’s inability to win the award.
While Rodri emerged as the best player in the men’s category, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s category.
The best goalkeeper award went to Aston Villa and Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez, while Lamine Yamal won the young player award.
For guiding Real Madrid to Champions League and La Liga success, Carlo Ancelotti won the Best Coach award, with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe winning the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals in the year.
Why Vinicius Jr doesn’t deserve to win the Ballon D’Or 2024
— Resul 🇽🇰 (@resul_fcb) October 28, 2024
A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/godA4BUu24
Eu farei 10x se for preciso. Eles não estão preparados.
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 28, 2024
All this over a 24 goal season btw. Salah put up 25 and was being told to move to Saudi. https://t.co/IcIICvEiqu
— barry (@BackseatsmanLFC) October 28, 2024
Kroos during his presentation of the League of Legends:
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) October 28, 2024
🗣️ Presenter: "Wouldn't this be like the Ballon d'Or?"
🗣️ Kroos: "No, here the best will win."
🗣️ Presenter: “We can edit the comment.”
🗣️ Kroos: "No, leave it as it is."
pic.twitter.com/SFczPtLv2x
You don’t have to be Madrid fan to admit that this guy is the best player in the world ❤️🙌🏾 https://t.co/d9GyQL4Jwi
— Wode Maya ® (@wode_maya) October 29, 2024
Mbappe thanking France football for not giving the award to Vinicius jnr pic.twitter.com/obD5BBzRUp
— Essel (@thatEsselguy) October 28, 2024
feck...he might score his 6th international goal for Brazil this year https://t.co/hWMKANlH0r
— 🎟️ (@MythfieIder) October 28, 2024
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) October 29, 2024
Más que merecido. Muchas felicidades, Rodri ❤️✨ https://t.co/GBX7zcN23w
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) October 29, 2024
From today on he is finally not 'underrated' anymore 😜 Congratulations to my teammate Rodri on wining the Ballon d'Or! For me this is very well deserved! I'm especially happy that someone on a defensive position is winning this title and not always just the offensive players!… pic.twitter.com/MFluK8j1ui
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) October 28, 2024
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante: What a player 🤩
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 28, 2024
Congratulations from the entire Atleti family for being proclaimed winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri! 👏👏👏
It is an honour for Atlético de Madrid, where you develop and grow as a footballer and a person, to see everything you… pic.twitter.com/lAHbumnUZc
It’s crazy how not a single person believes Rodri deserved the ballon D’or apart from Vinicius haters and Man City fans. That should tell you something
— Trey (@UTDTrey) October 29, 2024
Embarrassing behaviour from Real Madrid! 😬
— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) October 29, 2024
Rodri a worthy winner of the Balon d’Or, so to throw toys out of pram & boycott over Vinicius’ 2nd place looks just ridiculous to me.
Individual awards in football are also so over inflated.
It’s team game, lads.
Vinicius losing that Ballon D'or is not my problem, more worthy players had lost it before.
— Maester (@Tekanomo_) October 29, 2024
But what hade worried was how the Organizers made it very obvious they wanted to embarrass him cos he refused to bow down to racism thrown at him.
It was a show of shame.
I don’t know if you people are blind o but Vinicius is definitely not a better player than Rodri. Midfielders and Defenders deserve more recognition in these awards. Stop playing the racism card and tell your boy to work harder.
— Ladi (@justlardy) October 29, 2024
Kounde was one of the few players to have publicly supported and defended vinicius from the "racism" he suffered and watch how he behaved with koundepic.twitter.com/tkQ8rMtYjf
— LSPN_FC (@LSPN__FC) October 28, 2024
Today is going to be remembered as one of the darkest days in football history where they blatantly let racism win.
— Mac (@macknows) October 28, 2024
Keep your head up Vinicius, you’re the best in the world 💔
They legit have George Weah, the only black Ballon d’Or winner in history, presenting the award to a white player who has robbed a black player. They’re not even hiding this corruption and racism.
— Ahead of the Curve (@mediocentr0) October 28, 2024
...But I'm a bit disappointed in George Weah's speech.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) October 28, 2024
He talked about being an African & playing in Europe, Lookman was sitting beside Harry Kane & George Weah couldn't acknowledge the only African on the list.
Mchewww.
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