“Bye football” - Mario Lemina shows support for Vinicius Junior amid Ballon d'Or controversy
Mario Lemina has hit out Vinicius Junior missing out on winning the Ballon d'Or by insisting he deserved to win the award. The Wolverhampton Wanderers captain uploaded a post on his Instagram story about the situation.
Vinicius, 24, looked set to win the France Football award, but Rodri emerged as the victor on the day of the awards ceremony (October 28). Madrid didn't attend the gala in Paris to make their feelings clear.
Lemina, 31, slammed the decision to snub Vinicius Junior by explaining why he deserves the award. He wrote on his Instagram story (via MadridXtra):
"Rodri is the best midfielder in the world yes. But the best player in the world right now is Vinicius no doubt. Bye football."
Vinicius Junior starred as Madrid won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga title and the Supercopa de Espana last season. He posted 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions.
The 35-cap Brazil international's sensational form at club level wasn't enough to win the Ballon d'Or. He's set to finish second on the podium, behind City midfielder Rodri.
The 28-year-old played 50 times across competitions last season, registering nine goals and 14 assists. He helped the Cityzens win the Premier League title and was instrumental in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.
Madrid feel Vinicius' snub is UEFA's doing and extends beyond footballing reasons. Ancelotti spent the past year insisting that the Selecao star would win the Ballon d'Or.
Real Madrid reportedly thought Dani Carvajal would win the Ballon d'Or if Vinicius Junior didn't
Real Madrid reportedly believed the Ballon d'Or would go to Dani Carvajal if not Vinicius. The Spanish right-back was a prominent member of Carlo Ancelotti's team that won three major trophies last season.
Carvajal, 32, managed six goals and five assists in 41 games across competitions. He scored the opener in a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
The Madrid captain was also part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024. He was a teammate with Rodri during the tournament in Germany and a mainstay in Luis de la Fuente's XI.
Jude Bellingham is the other Madrid player in the top three of this year's Ballon d'Or race. The English midfielder finished third, with Rodri first and Vinicius second. Last year's Kopa Trophy winner didn't attend the gala as he stood by Vinicius.