Vinicius Junior and the Ballon d’Or Snub
Real Madrid’s Brazilian sensation, Vinicius Junior, has been a frequent target of taunts and jeers during away games in Spain, particularly following his snub at the Ballon d’Or awards. Despite the widespread criticism and chants, Vinicius has maintained a level of grace and determination. He confirmed that the decision not to attend the gala night, hosted by France Football, was a directive from the club’s president, Florentino Perez. Vinicius, along with none of the other Real Madrid nominees, stayed in Madrid, leading to significant backlash against the club and the player himself. Vinicius wrote after the award was announced that he would strive to perform even better, vowing to do it "10x better if he had to." He also publicly declared that he felt he was the best in the world, but he denied feeling cheated by the outcome, emphasizing that he still has many opportunities ahead. "No, people vote for what they believe. I have my own thoughts. I never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, when you’re close to it you believe it, but I’m going to have more opportunities. I’ve already won two European Cups and I’m here to win many more."
The Decision to Stay in Madrid
Vinicius Junior’s absence from the Ballon d’Or gala night was a decision made at the highest level of the club. He clarified that the order to stay in Madrid came directly from President Florentino Perez. This decision was met with widespread criticism, not only for Vinicius but also for the club as a whole. Vinicius stated, "I do what the club tells me to do and the club asked me to stay in Madrid." The Brazilian forward has faced chants of "Vinicius, beach ball" at away games, a clear play on his snub and a direct challenge to his abilities. Despite the jeers, Vinicius remains focused on his growth and development, both on and off the pitch.
Vinicius on Referees and Fair Play
Vinicius Junior has been vocal about his frustrations with officiating, particularly in La Liga. He highlighted the differences he has noticed between refereeing in Europe and in La Liga, noting that referees in Europe are generally more supportive of players who make the game a spectacle. "We don’t like to talk about referees, but of course it’s important for us that they referee well," he said. This has been a contentious issue, and not all of the Real Madrid squad agrees with the club’s policy of criticizing referees. However, Vinicius has been one of the most vocal players on the team regarding this issue. He has expressed frustration with the inconsistency in how referees manage players, particularly when it comes to issuing cards. "When the referees don’t show cards to others and when I protest for the first time and they show me a card. I do a lot of things I shouldn’t do, but with each game I’m improving and I’m calmer. So little by little I’m getting better. I’ve been here a long time, but people forget that I’m 24 years old and I still have a lot to learn and I’m going to keep learning until the end of my career."
Real Madrid’s Recent Struggles
The recent defeat to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin stadium was a significant setback for Real Madrid. It marked their eighth loss of the season and raised concerns about the team’s form. Vinicius acknowledged that the team lacked the necessary commitment to pressing that had recently shown improvement. "We always realise that we have to defend better, because if not we won’t win. The coach talks to the four up front so that we work hard. When the most important part of the season comes, we play better and we have to do our best for this team." The loss to Betis highlighted the need for collective improvement and a renewed focus on defensive responsibilities. Vinicius emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back and perform at their best in the upcoming matches.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s Post-Match Comments
After the loss to Real Betis, Vinicius and his teammates received a candid assessment from manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach addressed the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement in all aspects of their game. "In the last game we lacked a bit of everything. We started very well, but after 20 minutes we made too many mistakes and did everything wrong. It’s best that it happened in that game because tomorrow you can’t make a mistake. If you make a mistake you go home. We are here to improve and play a good game tomorrow." Vinicius echoed these sentiments, highlighting the team’s commitment to learning from their mistakes and performing at their best in the crucial matches ahead.
Vinicius Junior: A Forward-Looking Future
Despite the challenges and criticisms, Vinicius Junior remains one of the most exciting and promising talents in world football. His dedication to improvement and his unwavering belief in his abilities are evident in his words and actions. Vinicius has already achieved significant success, winning two European Cups at a young age, and he is determined to continue his success with Real Madrid. He understands the expectations placed upon him and the club, and he is committed to meeting and exceeding those expectations. Vinicius’s journey is far from over, and he is poised to make an even greater impact in the coming years, both for Real Madrid and the world of football.
