Why Did Vinicius Jr Did Nor Win The Golden Ball in 2024?

Vinicius has been one of the most promising player for Real Madrid last season, Everybody thought he was winning the Balon Do'r but ultimately the price went to Rodri from Manchester City. This not only shocked major football fans but also gave a feeling about unjust treatment Vinicius Jr had recieved all season.

It was a funny event because all the major outlets all around the world reported that Vini is the most probable winner of the award.

But it was at the last moment people came to know that the winner might be different that the common name thought before

So How was Vini season in 2023-24?

Vinicius Jr.’s performances throughout the 2023-24 season were nothing short of stellar. He featured in 49 matches across all competitions for club and country, scoring 26 goals and assisting 11 times, showcasing his consistent offensive threat and playmaking ability.

Notably, Real Madrid did not lose a single game he played in La Liga, Champions League, or Supercopa de España during the season, underscoring his impact on the team’s overall success.

I mean yes, if someone had seen football through their eyes then Vini was unstoppable in 2024.

His achievements included:

• Winning La Liga (Spanish league title)

• Winning the UEFA Champions League (Europe’s premier club competition)

• Clinching the Spanish Supercopa de España

• Scoring a decisive goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, becoming the youngest player to score in two Champions League finals, surpassing Lionel Messi's record.

  
  

In La Liga, despite competing alongside exceptional teammates like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius was Real Madrid's second-highest scorer with 15 league goals and contributed 5 assists. His explosive pace, dribbling skills, and ability to change the game in crucial moments made him pivotal to Real Madrid’s dominance in Spain and Europe.

Although his club form was outstanding, his international campaign with Brazil was less impactful, limited by a suspension during Copa America 2024 that concluded in a quarterfinal elimination.

Nonetheless, his 2023-24 season solidified him as one of the most influential players in world football.

Understanding the Ballon d'Or Voting Process and Competition

The Ballon d'Or voting is conducted by 100 international journalists from FIFA member countries, who each select their top five players from the 30 nominees. Points are allocated as follows: 6 for first place, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. The player with the highest total points wins.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or race was fiercely competitive. Alongside Vinicius, multiple Real Madrid players including Jude Bellingham and Karim Benzema were in contention. Manchester City's Rodri also emerged as a serious rival, celebrated for his instrumental role in Manchester City's treble-winning season.

Golden ball is something what fans have now come to term something like 'it is a bunch of journalist voting for their close friend and players"

A critical element in this race was vote splitting — where support for Real Madrid’s multiple candidates diluted the votes Vinicius might have otherwise consolidated. This phenomenon mathematically benefited Rodri, who garnered a cohesive voting bloc as Manchester City's standout.

Key Reasons Why Vinicius Jr. Did Not Win

1. Vote Splitting Among Real Madrid Players

Real Madrid had four players in the top 30 nominees, which caused votes to fragment across them instead of concentrating on one candidate.

This translated into Vinicius Junior receiving fewer overall points despite his impressive performances. According to France Football’s editor-in-chief, this vote distribution was a decisive factor that unintentionally helped Rodri secure the award.

2. International Performance Impact

International tournaments weigh heavily in Ballon d'Or considerations. Compared to previous winners like Lionel Messi, who clinched the award after leading Argentina to World Cup victory, Vinicius's international contribution was limited due to suspension and Brazil’s early exit in Copa America 2024. This diminished his appeal to some voters.

the suspension thing seem legit but this does not transfer the fact away that Vini was absolutely in a beast mode when it came to club and mainly the Champions League.

3. Recency Bias and Narratives

Voters are influenced by recent high-profile performances and media narratives.

While Vinicius shone throughout the season, these factors may have favored other players perceived as making decisive impacts in the later stages or more visible moments, such as Rodri’s key performances in Manchester City's treble.

I mean yes, Lionel Messi won the golden ball for winning something a year back, so they could have thought why not do that again?

4. Perceptions of Fair Play and Behaviour

There were discussions around Vinicius’s on-field behavior and controversy related to celebrations, which some suggest may have affected subjective perceptions among voters focused on "class and fair play," one of the award’s judging criteria.

5. Positional Bias and Role

Misunderstandings

The Ballon d'Or has historically favored attacking midfielders and forwards with flamboyant stats, but sometimes more nuanced roles or newer star profiles like Rodri's defensive and midfield dominance attract surprising recognition, reflecting evolving trends in football analysis.

6. Off-field Politics and Alleged Bias

Some observers and Real Madrid insiders hinted at political influences and possible racial bias affecting the votes.

Reports emerged of tension between UEFA and Real Madrid, with some claiming these non-football factors played a role in the outcome. The club's decision to boycott the ceremony was emblematic of these broader disagreements.

This had also been highlight of the 2024 season, as Vini was seen confronting fans for many racial remarks that they had given in the course of time.

Reactions from Fans, Experts, and Vinicius Jr. Himself

The news that Vinicius did not win triggered strong reactions online, with many fans accusing the Ballon d'Or organizers of unfairness and bias. Social media was flooded with claims that Vinicius had been "robbed" of his rightful win.

Experts expressed mixed views, acknowledging the complexity of the voting system and the intense competition but recognizing that Real Madrid's vote split and international factors weighed heavily.

Vinicius Jr. himself stayed composed, stating he was not "betrayed" by the outcome and emphasizing his focus on team success and future opportunities to win more awards. The club reportedly instructed him to skip the ceremony, signaling their protest against the decision.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Winners

Historically, Ballon d'Or winners have often combined club success with standout international tournament performances, a double criterion that Vinicius fell short on compared to some predecessors. Many previous winners had less internal vote splitting within their teams, consolidating their position.

Vinicius’s case reflects the growing pains of evolving football politics and changing award dynamics, emphasizing not just skill but broader narratives, voter perceptions, and the power of international moments in tipping the scales.

Conclusion

Vinicius Junior’s failure to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or was not due to a lack of talent or a poor season; rather, it was a complex interplay of vote distribution, international tournament impact, subjective voter perceptions, and possible political undercurrents.

While the decision left many questioning the fairness and transparency of the Ballon d'Or, it does not diminish Vinicius’s remarkable rise and importance to world football. The debate surrounding this award underscores the ongoing controversy inherent in subjective accolades and sets the stage for Vinicius to chase this honor in the coming years with even greater determination.

This detailed, data-driven article incorporates statistics, voting mechanics, and contextual reactions to provide an authoritative perspective on why Vinicius Jr. did not win the Ballon d'Or in 2024.