Vinicius drops to 17th in Ballon d’Or rankings after ‘not ready’ promise

Vinicius Junior has slipped to 17th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or standings, two years after declaring he would win the award “10 times if necessary”.

The Real Madrid forward’s position was revealed before Monday evening’s ceremony in London, marking a further fall in a ranking he was once expected to dominate.

Vinicius was among the leading contenders for the prize two years ago after an outstanding season with Real Madrid, helping the Spanish club win the Champions League. Many expected the Brazil international to claim the award, but he finished behind Rodri, the former Manchester City midfielder who is now with Barcelona.

After missing out, Vinicius responded on X: “I’ll do it 10 times if necessary, they’re not ready.”

His subsequent progress in the Ballon d’Or rankings has moved in the opposite direction. He placed 16th in the 2025 edition and has now dropped one position further to 17th in 2026.

The latest result has prompted renewed mockery on social media, with users recalling his confident response from two years ago. Many have interpreted the decline in his ranking as evidence that he has moved away from the level that made him one of the leading candidates in 2024.

Vinicius’ difficulties have also extended beyond individual awards. He has made an underwhelming start to the current campaign with Real Madrid and has faced criticism over his performances and reduced attacking influence.

That has led to questions over whether he can regain his place as a first-choice player under pressure at the Spanish club.

His position has become increasingly uncertain because of the recent form of Ivorian forward Yan Diomande. The youngster has taken advantage of the opportunities given to him and produced impressive displays, creating a genuine challenge for Vinicius as he attempts to recover his best form.

The fixtures listed alongside the coverage include Barcelona’s La Liga match on 31 October 2026 and Deportivo Alaves against Racing Santander in La Liga on the same date. Real Madrid are listed for a La Liga fixture on 1 November 2026.