- Manchester City’s defensive midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d’Or on Monday
- Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham came second and third
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Vinicius Jr reportedly missed out on a sizeable bonus from Real Madrid after failing to win the Ballon d’Or.
The coveted prize was claimed by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, following a glittering season that included Premier League and European Championship success.
After learning that Vinicius would miss out the gong – ahead of the ceremony in Paris on Monday night – Madrid boycotted the event despite the team winning several honours and their players placing highly in the main list.
Part of the Brazilian’s frustration may have been the sum of money he stood to lose by finishing second in the voting. According to Globo, the winger would have received a €1million (£833,000) bonus if he had become the first Brazilian to win the award since Kaka in 2007.
The outlet claims that the clause was included in the 24-year-old’s last renewal with the club. Karim Benzema, the last Madrid player to win the Ballon d’Or, had a similar clause in his deal with the side.
Vinicius Jr missed out on a sizeable bonus after losing the Ballon d’Or vote
Rodri took home the Ballon d’Or on after a stunning season with Manchester City and Spain
Vinicius broke his silence just minutes after an emotional Rodri picked up the prize on Tuesday night, in recognition for his roles in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and his club side’s fourth consecutive Premier League.
‘I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,’ he posted on X, hinting at future successes.
Vinicius was a hot favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after his epic contribution helped lead Madrid to a LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double.
He hit six goals and four assists in ten Champions League appearances and tallied 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches.
‘If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,’ a statement from Madrid ahead of the ceremony .
‘Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.’
Real Madrid’s no-show led to a number of excruciating scenarios on a heavily stunted evening.
Jude Bellingham finished a place below his Madrid team-mates in third after winning the Champions League and reaching the final of Euro 2024
The announcement of Men’s Club of the Year saw Los Blancos pick up the honour, with the trophy going uncollected in a moment only matched for awkwardness when Carlo Ancelotti won Men’s Coach of the Year minutes later.
Real’s Kylian Mbappe bagged sixth place while Erling Haaland had to settle for fifth. The Los Blancos pair of Carvajal and Jude Bellingham narrowly missed out on the top spots.
Elsewhere, former Madrid star Clarence Seedorf put forward his own theory as to why Vinicius Jr was overlooked.
‘I already voted almost a year ago and I think Vinicius deserved this award,’ Seedorf told TNT Sports Brasil.
‘It seems that there is something between Real Madrid and UEFA that seems to be unresolved.’
He added: ‘The problems between Real Madrid and UEFA should be kept outside of these matters. It’s a shame.’
Seedorf did not detail exactly what the dispute may be over.
