Vinicius Jr. Vows to Fight Racism Despite Ballon d’Or Snub

Vinicius Jr., the Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, announced on Monday his determination to continue fighting against racism, even if his activism contributed to his failure to win the Ballon d’Or, according to sources linked to the player. After securing second place in the esteemed award voting behind Rodri of Manchester City, Vinicius expressed his resolve on social media, stating, ‘I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.’ This sentiment followed Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the awards ceremony in Paris, anticipating Vinicius’s loss.

His management explained to Reuters that Vinicius attributes his lack of recognition to his stance against racism, suggesting that the football community is unprepared to embrace a player who challenges the status quo. The 24-year-old has faced racial abuse multiple times while playing in Spain, resulting in significant legal repercussions for offenders.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid celebrated their success, winning the Men’s Club of the Year award and having their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, named Men’s Coach of the Year after clinching both the European and Spanish league titles. Several teammates and notable figures like Brazilian football legend Marta expressed their support for Vinicius on social media.