Benzema reveals Vinicius Jr reaction to Ballon d'Or snub

Jacque Talbot
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

Article continues under the video

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)

News

Politics

Football

Celebs

TV

Strictly

Shopping

Royals

ByFelix KeithSports Reporter

15:32, 30 Oct 2024

|

|

Bookmark

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.

SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THIS

Powered by

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

1

Comments

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

8

Comments

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

18

Comments

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

6

Comments

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

Paul Scholes snubs Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in surprising Rodri claim

Paul Scholes snubs Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in surprising Rodri claim

1

Comments

Lionel Messi responds as Premier League star makes history at Ballon d'Or awards

Lionel Messi responds as Premier League star makes history at Ballon d'Or awards

Ballon d'Or audience make Vinicius Jr feelings clear moments before Rodri announcement

Ballon d'Or audience make Vinicius Jr feelings clear moments before Rodri announcement

15

Comments

Real Madrid slammed for lack of respect as Vinicius Jr set to snub Ballon d'Or ceremony

Real Madrid slammed for lack of respect as Vinicius Jr set to snub Ballon d'Or ceremony

2

Comments

Sergio Aguero aims pointed dig at 'entitled' Real Madrid after Ballon d'Or boycott

Sergio Aguero aims pointed dig at 'entitled' Real Madrid after Ballon d'Or boycott

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ballon d'Or – 'Evidence' of bias, Lionel Messi reaction slammed, voting ban

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ballon d'Or – 'Evidence' of bias, Lionel Messi reaction slammed, voting ban

1

Comments

Pep Guardiola responds to Real Madrid after boycotting Ballon d'Or due to Rodri win

Pep Guardiola responds to Real Madrid after boycotting Ballon d'Or due to Rodri win

5

Comments

Real Madrid release Ballon d'Or statement as Vinicius Jr decision sees them BOYCOTT ceremony

Real Madrid release Ballon d'Or statement as Vinicius Jr decision sees them BOYCOTT ceremony

9

Comments

Carlo Ancelotti lets slip he knows who'll win Ballon d'Or between Real Madrid team-mates

Carlo Ancelotti lets slip he knows who'll win Ballon d'Or between Real Madrid team-mates

Barcelona can't resist Ballon d'Or dig at Real Madrid following ceremony boycott

Barcelona can't resist Ballon d'Or dig at Real Madrid following ceremony boycott

Ballon d'Or 2024 DECIDED: Winner and 1-2-3 picked for this year as award enters new era

Ballon d'Or 2024 DECIDED: Winner and 1-2-3 picked for this year as award enters new era

2

Comments

'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football before Ballon d'Or win

'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football before Ballon d'Or win

2

Comments

Ballon d'Or 2024 winner decided amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubs and rule change

Ballon d'Or 2024 winner decided amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubs and rule change

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

1

Comments

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

8

Comments

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

18

Comments

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

6

Comments

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

Paul Scholes snubs Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in surprising Rodri claim

Paul Scholes snubs Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in surprising Rodri claim

1

Comments

Lionel Messi responds as Premier League star makes history at Ballon d'Or awards

Lionel Messi responds as Premier League star makes history at Ballon d'Or awards

Ballon d'Or audience make Vinicius Jr feelings clear moments before Rodri announcement

Ballon d'Or audience make Vinicius Jr feelings clear moments before Rodri announcement

15

Comments

Real Madrid slammed for lack of respect as Vinicius Jr set to snub Ballon d'Or ceremony

Real Madrid slammed for lack of respect as Vinicius Jr set to snub Ballon d'Or ceremony

2

Comments

Sergio Aguero aims pointed dig at 'entitled' Real Madrid after Ballon d'Or boycott

Sergio Aguero aims pointed dig at 'entitled' Real Madrid after Ballon d'Or boycott

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ballon d'Or – 'Evidence' of bias, Lionel Messi reaction slammed, voting ban

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ballon d'Or – 'Evidence' of bias, Lionel Messi reaction slammed, voting ban

1

Comments

Pep Guardiola responds to Real Madrid after boycotting Ballon d'Or due to Rodri win

Pep Guardiola responds to Real Madrid after boycotting Ballon d'Or due to Rodri win

5

Comments

Real Madrid release Ballon d'Or statement as Vinicius Jr decision sees them BOYCOTT ceremony

Real Madrid release Ballon d'Or statement as Vinicius Jr decision sees them BOYCOTT ceremony

9

Comments

Carlo Ancelotti lets slip he knows who'll win Ballon d'Or between Real Madrid team-mates

Carlo Ancelotti lets slip he knows who'll win Ballon d'Or between Real Madrid team-mates

Barcelona can't resist Ballon d'Or dig at Real Madrid following ceremony boycott

Barcelona can't resist Ballon d'Or dig at Real Madrid following ceremony boycott

Ballon d'Or 2024 DECIDED: Winner and 1-2-3 picked for this year as award enters new era

Ballon d'Or 2024 DECIDED: Winner and 1-2-3 picked for this year as award enters new era

2

Comments

'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football before Ballon d'Or win

'I called my father crying' - Rodri admits he nearly quit football before Ballon d'Or win

2

Comments

Ballon d'Or 2024 winner decided amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubs and rule change

Ballon d'Or 2024 winner decided amid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubs and rule change

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

La Liga president picks side in scathing verdict on Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or controversy

1

Comments

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

Ballon d'Or 2024 LIVE: Vinicius Jr shock, Real Madrid fury, no Messi or Ronaldo in new era

8

Comments

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi point after Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Cole Palmer has already named his best player in the world ahead of Ballon d'Or awards

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

Rodri reveals phone call from Real Madrid star after Ballon d'Or win leads to boycott

18

Comments

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham SNUB Ballon d'Or ceremony with shock winner set for gong

6

Comments

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

Jude Bellingham furious with Vinicius Jr as Carlo Ancelotti praises England star's 'balls'

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.

Paul Scholes snubs Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in surprising Rodri claim

Cristiano Ronaldo destroys fan's phone as Al-Nassr penalty shocker proves costly

“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."

Don’t miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.