Vinicius Jr misses out on huge bonus after Rodri beats Real Madrid star to Ballon d'Or
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Vinicius Jr misses out on Ballon d'Or
Vinicius Jr has reportedly missed out on a huge €1million (£833,000) after the Real Madrid star failed to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday night.
The Brazil international had been the favourite to secure the prize, which honours the best player on the planet every year.
However, Rodri was crowned instead after helping Manchester City and Spain win the Premier League and Euro 2024 respectively earlier in the year.
Vinicius, after learning that he'd be the runner-up, decided to boycott the evening - with Real as a club doing the same.
Vinicius Jr has reportedly missed out on a huge €1million (£833,000) after the Real Madrid star failed to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday night
GETTY
And his decision may have been financially influenced, too.
According to Brazilian newspaper Globo, Vinicius would have earned a huge bonus worth £833,000 if he'd been recognised as the best player in the world.
The outlet says that the clause was included in the last contract the 24-year-old signed, which was back in October 2023.
Just minutes after Rodri won the Ballon d'Or, Vinicius Jr seemed to send a pointed message on social media.
JUST IN: Ruben Amorim set to make huge U-turn over Manchester United job after Erik ten Hag sacking
"I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready," he said.
Real, meanwhile, released a statement explaining why they'd be snubbing the Ballon d'Or - having learned of Rodri's triumph beforehand.
"If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim [Dani] Carvajal the winner," they said.
"Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid.
READ MORE:Mike Tyson's daughter issues three-word message as fresh concerns emerge over Jake Paul fight
"And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected."
France Football decide the winner of the Ballon d'Or each and every year.
Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of the publication, says Vinicius Jr was penalised due to other players for Real shining - such as Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham.
"Obviously, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top 5 because, mathematically, that took away some points from him," he said.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Vinicius Jr lost out on the Ballon d'Or award to Rodri on Monday night
GETTY
"This also sums up Real Madrid's season, which took between three and four players and the judges shared their decisions between them, which benefited Rodri."
On Real's decision to snub the ceremony, he continued: "I had a lot of pressure from Real Madrid but, as with other clubs, I was always clear, fair and perhaps my silence pushed them to the limit.
"But it was the same as with the others. I was very unpleasantly surprised by his absence."
Vinicius Jr was unhappy after missing out on the Ballon d'Or
GETTY
Vinicius Jr has missed out on the chance to become the fourth Real player to secure the Ballon d'Or this past decade.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the award in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Luka Modric was recognised in 2018, while Karim Benzema scooped the prize in 2022 after firing Real to Champions League glory that year.
You may like
