Even if Vinicius Junior Wins Ballon d'Or, He Will Not Be the First Black Winner in 29 Years

Mibsar investigated the viral claim and found it to be fake.

Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior would not be the first black footballer to win the Ballon d’Or in 29 years if he were to be nominated for the prestigious award.

Ronaldinho Is the 2005 Ballon d'Or Winner

Contrary to the widespread claim, the Brazilian former footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who is considered black, won the 2005 Ballon d'Or beating Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. 

According to reports, the former Brazilian player Ronaldinho is black and of African descent, although, like many Brazilians, he has a mixed heritage.

The Ballon d'Or winners list published by a football website reveals that the Brazilian player secured the prestigious award only once, back in 2005, during his outstanding performance as a player for Barcelona.

Online websites, including Getty Images and sports website talkSPORT have uploaded photos of the player posing with the prestigious trophy after his Ballon d'Or win in 2005.

In 1995, 29 years ago, the Ballon d'Or expanded its nominations to include players from regions outside Europe. This significant modification culminated in AC Milan and Liberia striker George Weah securing the award, solidifying his status as the sole African player to claim this prestigious trophy to date.

Vinícius Júnior Wins the 2024 UCL Trophy

Real Madrid secured their fifteenth European title with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior netted second-half goals to clinch the win for Madrid, overcoming a determined effort from the German side.

In his farewell match for the club, Toni Kroos delivered an assist for Carvajal's header from a corner, putting Madrid ahead with just 16 minutes left on the clock. Moments later, England's Jude Bellingham provided the setup for Vinícius Júnior to extend Madrid's lead, ultimately securing the victory against a resilient Dortmund defense.

Vinícius Júnior Is a Strong Candidate for the 2024 Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or considered the most prestigious of individual accolades in global football, captures immense attention each year as France Football honors the sport's best player.

Real Madrid's standout talent, Vinícius Júnior, has emerged as a household name, steadily elevating his performance with each passing season. Despite enduring instances of racial abuse in Spain, the Brazilian remains resilient, consistently delivering stellar performances on the grandest stages.

Amidst stiff competition within Real Madrid's star-studded lineup, Vinícius undeniably stands out as the driving force behind Europe's most decorated club. His decisive impact was evident once more in the Champions League final, where he secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund with his twenty-fourth goal of the season, reminiscent of his match-winning goal against Liverpool two years prior.

However, Vinícius still faces a significant challenge on the international platform, where such awards are often determined. Despite his prowess, the 23-year-old has only notched three goals for Brazil in 28 appearances, and the national team's form heading into the upcoming Copa America appears uncertain.

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