The plane was on the tarmac. Engines were likely humming. Real Madrid's heavy hitters—Florentino Pérez, Carlo Ancelotti, and the man of the hour himself—were ready to jet off to Paris to claim what they thought was rightfully theirs. Then, the phone rang. Suddenly, the flight was canceled. The gala was boycotted. The football world basically went into a collective meltdown.
If you followed the 2024 Vinicius Junior Ballon d'Or saga, you know it wasn't just about a trophy. It was a cultural explosion. For months, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Vini would be the first Brazilian since Kaka in 2007 to hoist the Golden Ball. Instead, Manchester City’s Rodri took it home.
The fallout? Pure chaos.
The 41-Point Gap That Changed Everything
Honestly, it’s wild how close it actually was. When the voting breakdown finally leaked, we learned that Rodri beat Vinicius Junior by exactly 41 points. In the grand scheme of the Ballon d'Or, that’s basically a rounding error. Rodri finished with 1,170 points; Vini had 1,129.
To put that in perspective, a single voter choosing Vini as their #1 instead of Rodri gives him a 15-point swing. If just three or four journalists out of the 100 who vote had swapped their top two, the trophy is sitting in Madrid right now.
But why did they pick the defensive midfielder over the flashy winger?
The criteria changed recently. It’s no longer just about who is the "best" player in a vacuum. The jury is told to look at three things: individual performance, team achievements, and—this is the kicker—class and fair play.
Breaking Down the 2023-24 Stats
Let’s look at what Vini actually did on the pitch. It was a monster season.
- 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games.
- A hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa.
- Scoring in the Champions League final against Dortmund.
- Winning La Liga and the Champions League.
If you only watch highlights, Vini is the clear winner. He’s electric. He destroys fullbacks. But the voters saw a different story when they looked at the international stage. While Rodri was leading Spain to a Euro 2024 title and being named Player of the Tournament, Vini was struggling with Brazil. He got suspended for the quarter-final against Uruguay, and Brazil went out.
Fair or not, the "big tournament" tax is real.
The Boycott: Was Real Madrid Right?
The decision to skip the ceremony was a middle finger to UEFA and France Football. Madrid’s logic was simple, if a bit aggressive. They argued that if the criteria for winning didn't favor Vini, then by those same rules, Dani Carvajal should have won because he won everything Vini did plus the Euros with Spain.
Since Rodri won instead, Madrid claimed the award lacked "respect."
It was a PR nightmare. Rodri later told COPE that he wasn't bothered by their absence, saying he wanted to enjoy the moment with people who actually wanted to be there. But inside the Bernabéu, the vibe was different. Sources later confirmed that the club actually ordered Vini not to go. He did as he was told, but you could tell it stung.
He even posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after: "I will do it 10 times again if I have to. They are not ready."
That’s the Vini we know. Defiant.
Why This Wasn't Actually a "Robbery"
Look, "robbery" is a word fans love to throw around. But if you look at the underlying numbers, Rodri had a statistically insane year. According to SofaScore, Rodri averaged a 7.89 match rating over 63 games. Vini was at 7.36.
Rodri’s win percentage was 79%. He basically didn't lose a game for over a year.
There's also the "teammate cannibalization" factor. Real Madrid had too many great players. Jude Bellingham finished 3rd. Dani Carvajal finished 4th. When you have three players from the same team all having "best in the world" seasons, they end up stealing votes from each other.
Rodri was the undisputed engine of Manchester City and Spain. He didn't have to share the spotlight in the same way.
The Race Factor and Social Activism
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Many fans in Brazil and Spain believe Vini’s vocal stand against racism played a role in the "fair play" voting criteria. Vini has been a lightning rod for controversy because he refuses to stay quiet when he’s abused from the stands.
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Does being "combative" on the pitch—constantly arguing with refs or shushing crowds—hurt your chances with a jury of 100 journalists?
Probably. The Ballon d'Or has always had a "gentlemanly" bias. It’s why players like Thierry Henry or Xavi often missed out on the top spot despite being the best in their positions. Rodri is the "safe" pick. He’s quiet, he doesn't have social media, and he just plays the game.
What Happens Next for Vini?
So, where does he go from here?
Early 2025 has seen Vini double down. He’s already putting up numbers that make his 2024 season look like a warm-up. He knows that the only way to "force" the win is to make the gap so large that no journalist can ignore it.
He’s also cleared up some rumors. Despite massive offers from the Saudi Pro League—we're talking nearly £300m a year—he’s committed to Madrid. He wants to make history at the Bernabéu. He wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul.
How to Evaluate the "Best" Yourself
If you’re trying to figure out who’s leading the race for the next award, don't just look at the goal count. That’s the mistake most people make.
- Big Game Impact: Did they score in the semi-finals or finals of the Champions League?
- International Success: In a tournament year (like a World Cup or Euros), the winner almost always comes from the championship team.
- Consistency: Avoid the "three good months" trap. Voters look at the full August-to-July window.
- Narrative: The "story" matters. Is the player a hero? A villain? The underdog?
The Vinicius Junior Ballon d'Or miss will be remembered as one of the most controversial moments in modern football history. It wasn't just about who was better at kicking a ball; it was a clash of philosophies between the flashy superstar and the reliable system player.
Vini didn't get the trophy in 2024, but he certainly got the world's attention. And in football, sometimes that’s even more powerful.
To keep track of the current race, focus on the Champions League knockout stages coming up. That’s where the real points are won. Watch how Vini handles the pressure when the cameras are brightest—because he's clearly playing like a man with something to prove.
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Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to understand the Ballon d'Or voting better, stop looking at "Who scored the most?" and start looking at "Who was indispensable?" Use tools like FBref or SofaScore to compare "Shot-Creating Actions" and "Progressive Carries." These stats often reveal the true value of a player like Vini beyond just the scoresheet, showing exactly why he feels he deserved that trophy.