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Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has sent a defiant message following his Ballon d’Or snub after Manchester City ace Rodri won the prestigious award.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has fired back after missing the Ballon d’Or Award to Manchester City’s Rodri on Monday.
The Brazilian, and his club, snubbed the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris after learning that he was not going to win, when the Spanish giants hoped that it would either be him or team-mate Dani Carvajal.
Vinicius had been hot favourite to win the prestigious award after six goals and four assists in the Champions League as well as 20 goal involvements in the LaLiga but it was not deemed enough to hand him the Ballon d’Or.
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The award went to Rodri instead, the City and Spain midfield general, who was crucial to his club’s Premier League win as well as his country’s Euro 202 victory.
“I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready,” Vinicius posted on X, hinting at future successes.
Real Madrid reacted furiously when they learnt that none of their players was going to win the Ballon d’Or after the results leaked earlier on Monday ahead of the gala and subsequently cancelled their trip to Paris.
“If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,” the club stated earlier on Monday.
“Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.”
Former Liberia president George Weah, the only African player to have bagged the Ballon d’Or following his 1995 win, awarded the trophy to Rodri, who is recovering from a ligament injury.
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“I always said that one of my key things is that I try to improve every day. I was a traditional midfielder but when I realised I needed to get better in terms of assists and goals. You have to be like a striker because we always play in the frontal area. That is the key to improving every day,” said Rodri.
“People don't know me much, I am just a normal guy. I try to enjoy my profession, try to be a good person, a leader, and learn every day from the best.”
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti won Coach of the Year Award while Spain and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal claimed the Copa Trophy awarded to the best young player.
Argentina goalkeeper won the Yashin Trophy for a second year running, England forward Harry Kane bagging Gerd Muller Trophy which is awarded to the best striker.
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