Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has sent out a warning after being overlooked for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
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Ahead of the ceremony in Paris on Monday, news broke that nobody from Los Blancos would be attending the prestigious event after they got wind that Vinicius would not be crowned the world's best player.
Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy – awarded to the best coach of the year – was part of the boycott.
Vinicius enjoyed a remarkable 2023/24 campaign in Spain as he contributed to 35 goals in 39 appearances and helped inspire his side to LALIGA and UEFA Champions League success.
It was Manchester City's Rodri, however, who was called up on to the stage at the Theatre du Chatelet as the 2024 winner, with 100 journalists from around the world in charge of voting.
Real players issued messages of support for Vinicius on social media throughout the evening as the 24-year-old finished second in the ranking.
The Brazil international has since reacted publicly for the first time since losing out to Rodri, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that he is going to reach levels nobody has seen from him.
"I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready," he posted moments after the final Ballon d'Or ranking was confirmed.
Los Blancos and England midfielder Jude Bellingham followed Vinicius in third place, while Real and Spain right-back Dani Carvajal ended fourth in the standing.
In winning the accolade, Rodri became the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to be voted the world's best player and the first Spanish player since Luis Suarez in 1960 to go all the way.
The defensive midfielder was instrumental for City as they claimed a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and for Spain as they won the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
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During his acceptance speech, Rodri backed Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or "soon" after the 17-year-old claimed France Football's Kopa Trophy prize.
By Kurt Buckerfield
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