AC Milan legend insinuates problems between Real Madrid and UEFA cost Vinicius the Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Former AC Milan midfielder and club legend Clarence Seedorf weighed in on the Ballon d’Or snub of Vinicius Jr., adding a fresh and unexpected viewpoint to the discussion.

As an ex-Real Madrid player, Seedorf’s perspective is noteworthy, especially since he may possess insights into the inner workings of the club and its relationships.

His comments suggest that a conflict between Real Madrid and UEFA may have influenced the decision against Vinicius winning the award.

Speaking during the event, Seedorf shared his view that “the Ballon d’Or deserved to go to Vinicius”.

He hinted that tensions between Real Madrid and UEFA might have impacted the decision, implying that this rivalry should not interfere with recognising deserving players.

“I think the problems between Real Madrid and UEFA should be kept out of these matters. It’s a shame,” he added as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Support for Vinicius Jr.

Seedorf spoke in favour of Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Beyond Seedorf, Brazilian players like Richarlison, Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Emerson Royal, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Lucas Paqueta have openly shown their support for Vinicius, sending messages of encouragement to the young forward.

Meanwhile, it must be noted that Real Madrid also appear disappointed with UEFA, suggesting the governing body had a direct influence on the Ballon d’Or outcome.

According to the club, the same criteria that led to Rodri’s win could have just as easily favoured someone like Dani Carvajal.

In protest, Real Madrid chose not to attend the award ceremony, feeling their presence would not have been truly valued under these circumstances.

This situation reflects the complex dynamics within European football, where rivalries and associations may sometimes spill over into award decisions.

For Vinicius and Real Madrid, this outcome has fuelled ongoing debates about fairness in the selection process and how external factors may be affecting recognition in global football.