Vinícius Júnior aims to win the Ballon d’Or after winning The Best

After winning FIFA’s Best Footballer of the Year award on Tuesday, Vinícius Júnior responded to his critics, accusing his critics of wanting to “devalue” and “degrade” him.

Real Madrid and Brazil striker Vinícius, 24, won the 2024 prize – which is voted on by a combination of national team coaches and captains, journalists and fans – with 48 points, ahead of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who scored 43 points as his Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham with 37 points.

This came after Rodri beat Vinícius in the Ballon d’Or organized by France Football and UEFA, prompting Real Madrid to boycott the ceremony in protest.

“Today I write to the child who saw so many idols lift this trophy,” Vinícius posted on Instagram. “His time has come. Or rather, my time has come. It’s time to say… yes, I am the best player in the world and I fought hard for it.”

“They repeatedly tried to devalue me and belittle me. But they are not ready. Nobody will tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave. When I was in São Gonçalo, the system didn’t do that. “Take care of me. It almost swallowed me.

“I won for myself and for my family. With a lot of support along the way: Flamengo, Real Madrid, the Brazilian national team, my hundreds of teammates over the years… the people who accompany me every day in my routine, those who admire me… The best player in the world .

Vinícius won “The Best” – for the first time – after a 2023/24 season in which he helped Madrid win the LaLiga and Champions League double.

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s award, while Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year.

In October, Vinícius responded to missing out on the Ballon d’Or: “If I have to, I’ll do it ten times. They are not ready,” he wrote.

When it became apparent that Rodri was likely to win, the Madrid delegation had decided not to travel to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris as none of the club’s many nominees or officials were present.

President Florentino Perez criticized the voting system for the Ballon d’Or – which involves 100 journalists from different countries – in a speech at the general meeting in Madrid last month. He said “nobody knows who they are” and argued that the award should be “organized independently” and voted on by “well-known people”.

Neymar was among the stars who praised Vinícius after his triumph on Tuesday and encouraged his compatriot to “keep flying” in an Instagram story.