Guests traveling from Brazil, Monday after-party: Inside Vinicius Jr's failed plan for Ballon d'Or victory celebration
Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr reportedly had several plans to celebrate the Ballon d'Or win before they found out the Brazilian was not winning it. The Spanish side were furious with the decision and skipped the gala on Monday (October 28).
As per a report in The Athletic, Nike were also planning an event in Madrid with Vinicius Jr and his family. The Real Madrid star's sponsors prepared a special boot for the Brazilian for the rest of this season.
Los Blancos were confident that the winger would get the award in Paris and had arranged for his family to travel from Brazil. An entourage of around 30 - consisting of his family, agents and friends - were scheduled to travel to Paris and also attend an after-party in Madrid on Monday.
A Real Madrid club source told The Athletic:
"If the award criteria do not proclaim Vinicius Jr the winner, those same criteria should proclaim Carvajal the winner. As this has not been the case, it is obvious that the UEFA Ballon d'Or does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected."
However, all plans were scrapped after they found out hours before the gala that the Brazilian was not winning the award. The report suggests that Manchester City informed the Spanish side that Rodri was set to be announced as the winner and not the Brazilian.
Real Madrid reportedly argued that if not for Vinicius, the next best option was Dani Carvajal as he had won the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga and the EURO 2024.
Mixed reaction after Real Madrid skip Ballon d'Or gala following Vinicius Jr snub
Real Madrid's decision to skip the Ballon d'Or gala was met with mixed reactions from those in Paris. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Movistar that the club should have attended the event, saying:
"It is not good for football that a club as important as Madrid and with so many fans worldwide is not present at such a gala."
Luis Figo also spoke about his former club's decision to boycott the gala, telling Movistar:
"I was surprised, yes, because I had spoken to someone from Real Madrid who said they were going to come here at 13:30 and suddenly I'm in the hotel and I'm surprised by the news."
Clarence Seedorf hinted that he was in favor of Real Madrid's decision as he believed Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d'Or. He told TNT Sports in Paris:
"I think there are problems between Real Madrid and UEFA, which affected some things in the results. Vinicius Junior is the one who definitely deserves the award. It is a shame."
Carlo Ancelotti was named the Men's Coach of the Year, while Real Madrid were named the Club of the Year. However, there were no representatives from the club to collect the awards in Paris.