Ballon d’Or heartbreak: will Real Madrid’s Vini Jr reconsider his future in Spain?

It was a day Vinícius Júnior had awaited. A leading contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the Brazilian star came into the award race full of hope, with a brilliant season for Real Madrid backing him. But when the prize was announced, the name that cropped up in the room wasn't his - it was Rodri's, from Manchester City. The decision left the Brazilian 23-year-old empty-handed with a bitter mouthful that still seems hard to swallow.

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Since then, Vini Jr.'s team has been trying to find out what happened. The player had brought about 50 people to Madrid in order to celebrate, as he was looking forward to a party to celebrate the victory that had taken so long to arrive, apart from a Nike event held in his name in the center of the Spanish capital. Everything seemed to indicate that the title of "best player in the world" had been conquered; unfortunately, the high expectations then turned into great disappointment.

Vote Splitting: How Bellingham and Carvajal May Have Affected the Outcome

One of the most plausible theories in As for Vini Jr.'s defeat, this means vote-splitting within his Real Madrid teammates, more precisely with Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. This hypothesis, pointed out by the journalist Marcos Ruiz, would have "watered down" Vinícius Júnior's votes due to the presence of Bellingham above all.

This is a big deal psychologically for Ruiz. In his column, he somewhat showed consensus that Vini Jr would get the Ballon d'Or, for the player was not only an excellent player in the field but also an axis of Real Madrid. However, this splitting of votes was possibly compromising his expected victory. The Brazilian was visibly shaken.

Disappointment and Weariness: The Future at Real Madrid

For Vini Jr., defeat in the Ballon d'Or is something more than disappointment. According to Ruiz, everything is added up in what was already problematic for the Brazilian to approach Spanish soccer, especially Real Madrid. On the pitch, Vini will often feel that referees do very little to protect him from the rough challenges that come his way and seldom, if ever, take effective measures. All this inaction will contribute to heightening his feelings of powerlessness.

It is a problem compounded by something far worse: the racist incidents that have dogged Vini Jr. since his arrival in Spain. The accumulated psychological weight is more than evident, with the player beginning to feel that he might not bear so much of a life that does not always make him feel welcome, as he had dreamed.

A Brilliant Season, A Frustrating Night

The year for Vini Jr. was one of great performances and decisive ones for Real Madrid. He earned a prominent position in the team, being crucial to the club's campaigns. Speed, talent, and the ability for game-changing moves have transformed the forward into one of the most important players in Europe. The recognition he deserved finally seemed within reach with the Ballon d'Or nomination.

Emotional Consequences and the Challenges of the Spanish League

The defeat that Vinícius Júnior suffered at the hands of the Ballon d'Or hit him really hard, and nowadays that is reflected in his attitude toward the club and the League. Many times, according to Vini, the League does not offer him the protection he needs, something that has indeed been a source of constant frustration according to Ruiz. Besides the normal stresses involved in the game, he is also obliged to put up with the officials and their decisions, which he considers to be more punitive than protective.

All this has put him in a tight spot where, instead of enjoying the game, he has mostly had to live with stress-either the challenges during the game or those problems outside the game. The racist abuses and lack of protection by referees are weighing heavier on Vini Jr. in considering continuing his career in Spain.