This was disclosed by his management staff while speaking to newsmen on Monday night, Reuters reports.
Brazilian and Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior, has believed that he lost the Ballon d'Or because of his activism against racism.
This was disclosed by his management staff while speaking to newsmen on Monday night, Reuters reports.
Recall that there have been a series of controversies surrounding the 2024 ceremony of the global individual prize in football organised by French Football Federation after they selected Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri as the best player ahead of Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius took to social media after finishing second in the prestigious award voting behind Rodri, saying: "I will do it 10 times if I have to. They're not ready.”
Vinicius posted on X (formerly X) after his LaLiga side Real Madrid cancelled their plans to attend the ceremony in Paris, boycotting it in anticipation of the Brazilian not winning the men's award.
Asked what Vinicius meant with his post, his management staff told Reuters that he was referring to his fight against racism and that they believed it was what led to him not winning the award, saying that "the football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system."
The 24-year-old Brazil international has been subjected to racial abuse on several occasions in Spain, leading to at least two convictions for racist insults in pioneer cases in the country.
Real also won the men’s club of the year award, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year after winning the European and Spanish league double in a near perfect campaign last season.
France Football, which organises the Ballon d'Or awards, was not immediately available for comment.
The awards are based on voting by a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.