France Football Editor Explains Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or Defeat to Rodri
Garcia emphasized that Real Madrid was eager to discover the results of the Ballon d'Or voting but firmly denied any claims that they were informed about the outcome before the ceremony.
The Surprising Result
Despite high expectations for Vinicius to clinch the prestigious award, Rodri emerged as the victor. The Brazilian forward has expressed that his ongoing battle against racism may have played a role in him missing out on the accolade, and he responded defiantly after finishing as the runner-up. This result has sparked backlash from Real Madrid fans, as well as players from the club's history, who voiced their displeasure at seeing Rodri take the title over Vinicius.
Context Matters
The context surrounding the Ballon d'Or announcement is significant. Real Madrid recently faced a crushing 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in El Clasico, where Vinicius taunted his opponent Gavi by stating, "on Monday, I'm going for the Ballon d'Or." However, Vinicius ultimately chose not to attend the ceremony in Paris after it was reported that Real Madrid learned beforehand that Rodri would be the winner.
Garcia emphasized that Real Madrid was eager to discover the results of the Ballon d'Or voting but firmly denied any claims that they were informed about the outcome before the ceremony. He assured that both Manchester City and Real Madrid were kept in the dark about the winner until the announcement was made.
Garcia's Insights
In a statement, Garcia remarked, "I can guarantee you that no one from City or Real Madrid knew; maybe they had a feeling. Maybe El Clasico didn’t help. I don’t know. It was close. Vinícius probably suffered from the presence of Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal in the top five." He continued, noting that Real Madrid had been pressuring him for the result, and he speculated that his silence may have led the club to believe Vinicius had lost, prompting them not to attend the event.
"I’m unpleasantly surprised, but I don’t want to spend the night talking about it; I want to talk about our winner, Rodri," he added. Garcia emphasized that all major clubs had been seeking information about the winner but had been clearly informed that the results would remain confidential until the ceremony.
What's Next for Vinicius Junior?
As Vinicius grapples with the disappointment of the Ballon d'Or results, he will aim to channel his focus back onto the pitch. Real Madrid is set to face Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, followed by a Champions League clash against AC Milan. Vinicius will be eager to demonstrate his skills and contribute to his team's success in these upcoming matches, leaving behind the Ballon d'Or disappointment.
In summary, Vincent Garcia's comments provide insight into the circumstances surrounding Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or defeat to Rodri. With strong emotions from fans and the club, the focus now shifts to Vinicius's performance on the field as he aims to make his mark in the ongoing season.
