Benzema reveals Vinicius Jr reaction to Ballon d'Or snub

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 30 Oct 2024 11:02 CDT
7 min read

Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid, Oranje — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Karim Benzema reveals Vinicius Junior reaction following Ballon d'Or controversy

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Vinicius Junior missed out on the Ballon d'Or to Manchester City star Rodri, but his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema says he will bounce back from the unjust decision

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri receives the Ballon d'Or award in front of second-placed Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior came second in the Ballon d'Or voting (Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

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ByFelix KeithSports Reporter

15:32, 30 Oct 2024

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Vinicius Junior was sad after missing out on the Ballon d’Or – but will use his disappointment as fuel to win the award next year, according to Karim Benzema.

Vinicius was beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Manchester City midfielder Rodri on Monday night at the ceremony in Paris. The Brazilian was not in attendance, with Real Madrid deciding to boycott the event on account of what they felt was disrespect from the organisers.

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They felt that Vinicius, Jude Bellingham or Dani Carvajal should have been given the award after the club won the Champions League and La Liga last season. Former Real striker Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and spoke to Vinicius to console him.

“Last year, when Real Madrid were European champions, Vinicius was decisive in every game. So I don’t think there is anyone else who deserves it more than Vinicius,” he told El Chiringuito.

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“I have nothing against Rodri, he’s a good player, but I’m sitting on my couch watching TV and Rodri doesn’t do anything that makes you say ‘wow’. Vinicius has done it to me more than once, so it’s a bit of a shame because he deserved the Ballon d’Or.

“I hope he is mentally strong. Yesterday I was talking to Vinicius and he is strong enough to work and one day he will have it (the Ballon d’Or).

“I wrote him a message and he was sad. It’s normal. It’s a bit complicated when everyone sees you winning the Ballon d’Or and in the end, a day before or a few hours before, they tell you that you’re not going to win it. It’s very complicated. Vinicius is a good kid, he is going to work and one day he will win the Ballon d’Or."

Vinicius Jr in Real Madrid training

Vinicius Jr was back in Real Madrid training this week ( Image: Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Vinicius quickly reacted to the news, tweeting on Monday night: “I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready.” Explaining their decision not to attend, Real told AFP: "If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."