Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has responded after finishing as runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards. Taking to X, he posted, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,” a message that quickly went viral across social media.

In response to the perceived snub, Real Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, with the club announcing that its delegation would not attend in support of Vinicius.

“If the award criteria do not favour Vinicius as the winner, then by the same criteria, the award should go to Carvajal,” the club stated to AFP. “As this was not the case, it’s clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid, and Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”

Real Madrid’s list of nominees this year also included Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham.

The Ballon d’Or winner is selected by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists. The award’s organisers, the Amaury Group, which owns L’Equipe and France Football magazine, denied reports of leaks, insisting that “no player or club” knew the winner in advance.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, recognised for leading his club to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and his national team to victory in Euro 2024. The decision to award the trophy to the deep-lying midfielder surprised many, with Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double-winner Vinicius Junior widely regarded as the pre-ceremony favourite.