Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or post comes back to haunt him after Real Madrid boycott

Vincius Junior has ranked 16th in the Ballon d'Or voting after being runner-up to Rodri last year. Just 31 points separated them 12 months ago, but the Real Madrid forward will be hundreds behind the victor this time.

Viktor Gyokeres finished above the Brazil international, as have Desire Doue, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Pedri. Vinicius Jr will also not be the highest-ranked Madrid player, as, despite finishing ahead of Jude Bellingham in 23rd, fellow forward Kylian Mbappe has made the award's top 10.

That is no surprise, though, after the France international outscored his team-mate and everyone else in Europe during his debut season.

READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe picks clear Ballon d'Or winner – 'I'd deliver it to his house'

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But it underlines that Vinicius Jr has hardly backed up his bold claims made after last year's ceremony in Paris.

"I'll do it 10x if I have to," the player posted on X. "They're not ready."

However, he scored just 22 goals in 58 appearances across all competitions last season.

That is only two behind the previous campaign, but that goalscoring form came despite playing 19 fewer matches.

Madrid boycotted the Theatre du Chatelet last year after learning their player would not receive the award and are also absent again 12 months on.

The team trained together at Valdebebas on Monday hours before the ceremony began.

As well as Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr being up for the main men's award, Dean Huijsen is a nominee for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world's best under-21 player, while Thibaut Courtois is up for the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper.

Madrid, however, have a La Liga match against Levante on Tuesday night, three days after beating Espanyol. Those are two of five matches within a fortnight.

They won 2-1 against Marseille in the Champions League last Tuesday and are playing Atletico Madrid this weekend before visiting Kairat in Kazakhstan next Tuesday evening.

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