A number of current and ex-players have come forward and offered their support to Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid star was snubbed of the Ballon d'Or.
On Monday night, the Brazilian came second in the voting for football's most prestigious individual award - with Man City's Rodri taking home the trophy.
News broke earlier in the day that Vinicius was going to miss out on the award and shortly after Real Madrid and Vinicius decided to pull the plug on their trip to the gala, held at the Theatre du Chatelet.
Now that the dust has settled from the glitzy event, a number of prominent figures within football have offered words of encouragement for the Madrid star.
Interviewed at the event, Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit said: 'Ballon d'Or? I think Vinicius.'
Meanwhile, shortly after the result, Real Madrid team-mate Eduardo Camavinga took to X to write: 'FOOTBALL POLITICS (red X emoji). My brother you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. Love you my bro'.
Even those away from Real Madrid offered their support. AC Milan star Rafael Leao took to Instagram to post a picture of Vinicius with a 'covered eyes' emoji.
Spurs striker Richarlison - a compatriot of Vinicius - wrote a lengthy post on social media for Madrid star, which said: 'All of us who live soccer look forward to the individual awards with great anxiety each season.
'Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win a award of the best in the world after so long.
'Unfortunately, by criteria no one can understand, the prize did not come. And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a bad player who deserves to be among the best. But Vini not getting that Ballon d'Or was embarrassing, and the only person who lost today was football.
'I remember Vini saying his dream was to see all Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today! You are giant and the best in the world, kido! And no trophy will change that. Move forward and never be quiet! We're all together!'
Richarlison's north London rival - Arsenal defender Gabriel Maghalhaes - also offered his support to Vinicius in the form of an Instagram story.
He shared a picture of the Brazilian winger with the caption: 'Best in the world!'.
Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribery also weighed in on the decision and posted an Instagram story that read: 'Ballon d'Or' with multiple 'laughing emojis'.
It didn't take long for Vinicius to break his silence just minutes after an emotional Rodri picked up the award, in recognition for his roles in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and his club side's fourth consecutive Premier League.
'I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready,' he posted on X, hinting at future successes.
Vinicius was a hot favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or after his epic contribution leading Madrid's frontline to a LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double.
The Brazilian, 24, hit six goals and four assists in ten Champions League appearances and tallied 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches.
'If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,' the club stated earlier today.
'Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d'Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.'
Real Madrid's no-show led to a number of excruciating scenarios on a heavily stunted evening.
The announcement of Men's Club of the Year saw Los Blancos pick up the honour, with the trophy going uncollected in a moment only matched for awkwardness when Carlo Ancelotti won Men's Coach of the Year minutes later.
papcdeiktz
17
If there were no robbery how come other stars both old and new are coming out to show support for vini jr if it were up to me I’ll advise Real Madrid to cut ties with anything that has to do with ballon d’or and sue whoever uses the name Real Madrid to promote the so called ballon d’or just saying. And to think busquet was never even in at any moment in his career among the top Three candidates is a total shame. lol