Dorival Jr summons Vinícius Jr and breaks the silence with the Brazilian: "It was unfair"

Brazil's national team coach, Dorival Júnior, has vehemently criticized the decision to award the Ballon d'Or to Spain's Rodri Hernández instead of his compatriot Vinícius Jr. Speaking at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Júnior described the omission of the Real Madrid star as an "injustice."

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"In my opinion, it was unfair. It was an individual award, and if there was a decisive, sharp, lethal player who showcased his talent in the last season, it was Vinícius," Júnior asserted.

While acknowledging Rodri's achievements and Spain's recent dominance in football, Júnior argued that Vinícius Jr.'s performances warranted greater recognition. "But, for the work he did, Vinícius could have received different attention," he emphasized.

The coach revealed that he had spoken with Vinícius Jr. the day before the Ballon d'Or announcement but preferred to discuss the matter in person once the player joins the national team. Júnior expressed confidence that despite the disappointment, Vinícius Jr. is well aware of the immense support and respect he enjoys among Brazilian fans.

"If he didn't win the Ballon d'Or, Vinícius knows he won the recognition and respect of Brazilians," Júnior said, adding that the majority of fans "perceived the injustice done to a player who, by merit, could have been the winner."

Júnior's comments have reignited the debate surrounding the Ballon d'Or and the criteria used to select the winner. Many Brazilian fans and pundits have expressed their outrage at Vinícius Jr.'s snub, arguing that his impact on Real Madrid's Champions League triumph and his overall performances throughout the season made him a more deserving candidate.

The controversy surrounding the Ballon d'Or is likely to continue for some time, with fans and experts divided over whether the right decision was made. Vinícius Jr., meanwhile, will be looking to put the disappointment behind him as he continues to represent both Real Madrid and Brazil at the highest level.