Bruno Guimaraes sends support to Brazil teammate after perceived Ballon d'Or snub

Manchester City's Rodri scooped this year's Ballon d'Or and while there's a large portion of football fans around the world who will see that as the right decision, you try telling that to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr.

Vini Jr came in second place but upon hearing that he wouldn't be winning the top prize, he opted to not attend the ceremony, which might just be the most childish thing I've heard this week (it's early and there's going to be more Manchester United drama to come and we know what that fanbase is like).

It's not just Vinicius Jr himself who expressed his anger at not winning, there had been an outpouring of support for the Brazil international and Real Madrid also boycotted the event in solidarity with Vini Jr.

As Fabrizio Romano posted on X, Florentino Pérez, Vini Jr, Carlo Ancelotti and Jude Bellingham were all due to attend the ceremony but refused to travel after learning of the 'snub'.

Bruno Guimaraes showed some love to his international teammate

At the end of the day, the Ballon d'Or is essentially an award based on opinion rather than fact, so there should be no expectation from anyone that they are going to win, so to spit your dummy out because the panel didn't vote for you is absurd.

However, Bruno Guimaraes was quick to throw a virtual arm around his fellow countryman, posting on his Instagram reel a picture of them side by side on the pitch representing Brazil along with a caption which read:

“Brother! You are the pride of our country and our best in the world. We’ll always be with you.”

Instagram Screenshot/@brunoguimaraes

Rodri absolutely deserved to win the Ballon d'Or and given he won't play again this season, just let him have it

Imagine what Rodri must be thinking. The man scoops the 'best player in the world' award and all anyone is talking about is how Vini Jr didn't win.

Rodri is ruled out for the season now anyway, so Vini Jr just needs to get his head down and he can have his precious award next year.

Anyway, I'm going to boycott the Football Writers Awards because I'm not taking the top gong.