- Man City midfielder Rodri defeated Vinicius Jnr to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday night
- Clarence Seedorf has a theory about why Vinicius Jr. missed the award
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Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf believes Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr has missed out on the Ballon d’Or due to an ‘unresolved’ dispute.
Vinicius Jnr was beaten for the prestigious award by Manchester City midfielder Rodri on Monday evening, as the Brazilian winger finished second in the table, ahead of Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.
After finding out earlier in the day that Vinicius Junior had not won, Real Madrid chose not to send representatives to the ceremony as they made their distaste clear.
Seedorf, who won the Champions League with Madrid in 1998, was present with his wife Sophia Makramati and put forward his own theory as to why Vinicius Jr. was overlooked.
“I voted almost a year ago and I think Vinicius deserved this award,” Seedorf told TNT Sports Brasil.
Man City midfielder Rodri was awarded the Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, ahead of Vinicius Jnr
Vinicius Jr. did not attend the ceremony after discovering he had not won the award
Clarence Seedorf (pictured with wife Sophia Makramati) believes Vinicius Jnr did not win due to ‘unresolved’ dispute between Real Madrid and UEFA
‘It appears that there is something between Real Madrid and UEFA that seems to be unresolved.’
He added: ‘The issues between Real Madrid and UEFA should be left out of these matters. It’s a shame.’
Seedorf did not specify exactly what the dispute might be about, and Madrid still won team of the year, while Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year following his side’s victories in LaLiga and the Champions League.
Yet Seedorf was far from the only high-profile figure to disagree with the final Ballon d’Or rankings.
Vinicius told X after the decision to post was announced, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready for it.’
He was supported by some of his teammates, including Eduardo Camavinga, who also suggested it was not a football decision.
Camavinga wrote on social media: ‘FOOTBALL POLITICS. My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. I love you, my brother.’
Aurelien Tchouameni added: “Nothing can take away what you have achieved, my brother. We all know it… They’re not ready for what you’re going to deliver.”
Meanwhile, Madrid defender Eder Militao said: “You are the best and no one can take that away from you. The best!’