Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. recently expressed his determination to continue fighting racism, despite feeling that his advocacy might have hindered his chances of winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
On Monday, sources close to the player disclosed that Vinicius, who ended up second in the competition behind Manchester City midfielder Rodriguez, remains dedicated to his activism against racial injustice in sports.
After the Ballon d’Or announcement, Vinicius posted on social media platform X, signaling his commitment to anti-racism efforts. “I will do it 10 times if I have to.
They’re not ready,” he stated, sparking widespread speculation about whether his activism may have affected the outcome of the voting process.
Real Madrid, showing their support, chose not to attend the Paris ceremony, reportedly due to their expectation that Vinicius would not be awarded the title.
When asked about Vinicius’ statements, his management team explained that he was alluding to his ongoing fight against racism, a struggle that has frequently placed him at odds with various elements within the football world.
His team suggested that his outspokenness on this issue may have contributed to his loss, explaining that “the football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.”
The 24-year-old forward has faced multiple incidents of racial abuse while playing in Spain, an issue that has led to at least two convictions in landmark cases for the country.
Despite these incidents, Vinicius has remained vocal and unyielding, advocating for accountability and change within La Liga and beyond.
His experiences have garnered international support and sparked conversations about the persistence of racism in sports.
Real Madrid still managed to secure other accolades at the event. The club was named Men’s Club of the Year, while their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, won Men’s Coach of the Year after Real’s impressive European and Spanish league double in the previous season.
