Vinicius Jr vows to continue his anti-racism efforts, citing his activism as a possible factor in not winning the Ballon d’Or.
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]razilian forward Vinicius Jr, who plays for Real Madrid, has committed to his fight against racism, a stance he believes may have influenced his chances in the recent Ballon d’Or awards.
After placing second to Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri, Vinicius hinted at his frustration but vowed to continue his activism, even if it risks accolades.
Also read: Real Madrid Boss tips Vinicius for Ballon d’Or
In a social media post on X, Vinicius expressed resilience: “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.” His message followed Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, anticipating that Vinicius might miss out on the top award.
Sources close to Vinicius told Reuters that his post refers to his anti-racism stance, with his management team asserting that the football industry “is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.”
At only 24, the Brazilian international has endured multiple incidents of racial abuse in Spain, leading to landmark convictions for racist conduct.
His activism has since become a defining part of his career, underscoring his commitment to eradicating racism within football.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who led the team to a successful double win in the European and Spanish leagues last season, received the Men’s Coach of the Year award.
Real Madrid was also awarded Men’s Club of the Year. However, their standout player Vinicius, who contributed immensely to this success alongside Jude Bellingham, found himself controversially edged out for the individual prize.
Bellingham, who scored an impressive 19 goals and helped England reach the Euro 2024 final, placed third in the rankings.
Vinicius’s teammates rallied in support on social media, with Eduardo Camavinga writing, “My brother, you are the best player in the world, and no award can say otherwise.”
Brazilian icon Marta also voiced her disappointment, stating in an Instagram video, “I waited all year for Vini Jr to be deservedly recognised as the best player in the world.”
The Ballon d’Or voting process, organised by France Football, involves a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.
France Football has yet to issue a statement regarding Real Madrid’s absence from the ceremony or the concerns raised by Vinicius and his supporters.
As Vinicius pledges to continue his activism, his journey underscores the growing conversation around racial equality and the intersection of social issues with global football.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
