Brazil coach slams Ballon d'Or 'injustice' and insists Vinicius Junior should have won prize after Real Madrid star loses out to Man City's Rodri

The 62-year-old, who took over as head coach of the Brazil men's national team earlier this year, has become the latest football figure to criticise the result of the awards ceremony. Dorival Junior told reporters that although he respected Rodri immensely, the Spaniard's victory represented an "unfair situation".

Many people expected Vinicius Junior to take home the top prize this year, but he was unexpectedly snubbed in favour of Rodri. That being said, few could argue that the Spanish Euro 2024 and Premier League 2023-24 champion, who has been a dominant force in European football for several years, did not deserve to win the prize.

Speaking at a press conference, Dorival Junior said: "In my opinion, [it's] an unfair situation, especially because it is an individual award. Nothing against whoever won the award, quite the opposite, it is the recognition of one of the great players of Spanish football, but Vinícius, for the work he did, should have received different attention. But the greatest prize that Vinícius won was the recognition and respect of his people. The vast majority of the Brazilian people realized the injustice that was done to the player who could have deservedly received the award."

Real Madrid's response to Vinicius failing to win the Ballon d'Or has been described as a serious case of "exaggerated victimhood", with the club childishly boycotting the ceremony after finding out their star man would not be winning the major accolade. The Brazilian and his team have clearly been seriously impacted by the decision, and rumours that he's willing to leave the club and seek a new challenge are circulating more widely as a result.