The historic rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid has intensified once again, this time off the pitch, with a scathing remark aimed at Vinicius Jr by Carlos Olmo, Dani Olmo's brother.
The Brazilian forward, recently snubbed for the Ballon d'Or, has become the center of controversy once again. Carlos Olmo, the older brother of Spanish international Dani Olmo, posted a provocative video on social media compiling controversial sequences of Vinicius Jr. The video shows the Madrid player in moments of protest, mocking gestures towards opponents, and actions deemed unsportsmanlike.
In the caption, Carlos Olmo subtly wrote: "Rodri really saved football," a direct reference to the Manchester City midfielder who won the 2024 Ballon d'Or. This comment is not only an attack on Vinicius but also a way to highlight a style difference between Rodri, considered a model of professionalism, and Vinicius, often criticized for his behavior.
This year's Ballon d'Or, awarded to Rodri, left a bitter taste for Real Madrid and its fans. Many in the Spanish capital considered Vinicius a legitimate favorite after a year marked by decisive performances in La Liga and the Champions League. The lack of recognition for the Brazilian sparked a strong reaction from the club, which decided to boycott the France Football ceremony. Real Madrid even announced it would boycott the Ballon d'Or in the future, claiming the award had lost all credibility.
Vinicius Jr: Hated, but the King of Football
Carlos Olmo's attack only fuels an already deep-seated rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This is not the first time Vinicius Jr has found himself at the center of controversy. In addition to his sporting exploits, the Brazilian is regularly targeted for his on-field provocations.
Despite his loss to Rodri in the Ballon d'Or race, Vinicius Jr promised to work ten times harder for future editions. And he seems to be keeping his word: since October, his spectacular performances have spoken for themselves. The Brazilian winger has been scoring goals, providing assists, and making headlines with his impressive actions.
He now has unanimous recognition and has just been crowned The Best by FIFA, an award that solidifies his status as the world's best player. During the ceremony in Doha, FIFA President Gianni Infantino didn't hesitate to take a veiled swipe at France Football, referencing Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or snub.
Barely crowned with this exceptional title, Vinicius Jr shone again, helping Real Madrid win the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca. With a monstrous performance, he was elected the best player of the final and the tournament.
Despite criticism, Vinicius Jr continues to demonstrate to the world that he is the number one. In Brazil, a hypothesis often emerges to explain his Ballon d'Or loss: "He lost because of racism."