Vinicius Jr breaks silence with cryptic message as Rodri wins Ballon d'Or after boycott

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has reacted after being beaten by Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

The Brazilian was absent from the ceremony in Paris, with Real Madrid boycotting the presentations in protest after learning their striker was not in the running to win the top prize.

The 24-year-old finished second, with his club teammate Jude Bellingham third. A third Madrid player, Dani Carvajal, finished fourth and Erling Haaland fifth.

Just minutes after the Manchester City and Spain star was announced as the winner, Vinicius Jr posted a cryptic message on social media. “I'll do it 10 times if I have to,” he wrote on X. “They're not ready.”

He did not specify what he meant, but comments from another Real player, Aurélien Tchouameni, appeared to underline the club's discontent. He responded by writing, “Nothing will take away what you've accomplished, bro. We ALL know that… They're not ready for what you're going to give them. Love.”

Just hours before the ceremony began, news broke that no representatives of the Champions League and La Liga champions had traveled to France. “If the award criteria do not give Vinicius as the winner, then the same criteria should name Carvajal as the winner,” a club spokesperson said. AFP.

“As this was not the case, it is clear that the Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”

Organizers changed their policy for this year's ceremony, keeping the winner's identity secret until the on-stage announcement. But the Real boycott led to difficult times, with no one to receive the men's club of the year award.

Carlo Ancelotti was also named Men's Coach of the Year. The Italian then posted on social media and apparently wanted to thank Vinicius, writing: “I want to thank my family, my president, my club, my players and especially Vini and Carvajal.”

Rodri, still on crutches due to his ACL injury, was emotional after being helped on stage to accept the award. And he struggled to hold back tears as he thanked his comrades, both at club and country level.

“Manchester City. Thank you, you are so special, I know I wouldn't be here without you. For me it's the best club in the world,” he said. “I would like to thank the national team and Luis (de la Fuente) for trusting me for so long. My colleagues with whom I won the Euro, Carvajal, he should have been here with me. Lamine, I know that you'll win this prize soon.”