A week to forget for Real Madrid as a club. Despite the recent setbacks, focus has shifted to upcoming fixtures, with Valencia up next in La Liga. All eyes will be on Vinícius Jr., who has promised a "supercharged" version of himself following his controversial Ballon d'Or "snub."

A challenging week for Real Madrid

It's been a rough week for the club, beginning with a 4-0 loss in El Clásico against Barcelona, a result that left them six points off the top, with plenty of La Liga season left. Adding to this, Vinícius Jr. missed out on the Ballon d'Or, disappointing fans who had pegged him as a favorite. The forward, refusing to travel to Paris for the ceremony, declined to accept the award on behalf of teammate Carlo Ancelotti, who won Best Coach, and the Real Madrid team, named Best Club.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s basketball team also suffered, losing to Olympiacos 79-69 for their fifth straight away defeat in the EuroLeague and Liga Endesa. The team has struggled to win outside of the WiZink Center.

The Vinícius and Ballon d'Or saga

After the Ballon d'Or announcement, new reports from Diario As suggest that Vinícius and his team believe factors like Fair Play—and perhaps his perception of targeted treatment in Spain, including frequent insults and controversial refereeing decisions—affected his award chances.

Vinícius's future at Real Madrid is now shrouded in uncertainty. Feeling the weight of recent events, he perceives a lack of protection in La Liga. Despite trying to ignore provocations, he feels referees often punish him for drawing attention to incidents on the field rather than safeguarding his playing style. Repeated instances of racism, from unsettling events at Mestalla to symbolic aggression during derby matches, have added to his frustration.

This situation also has strategic and sporting implications. In today's football world, where stars are global brands, players aim to thrive in environments that support their athletic and economic growth. Vinícius has seen Jude Bellingham steal the spotlight early in the season and now finds himself sharing attention with Kylian Mbappé. Even if Madrid achieves its goals this season, the internal competition may hinder his path to the next Ballon d'Or.

On top of this, there are potential offers from Saudi Arabia. Vinícius’s agent, Frederico Pena, signed a short extension until 2027, allowing for future flexibility. Currently one of the world’s most dynamic players, he remains a top target for wealthy clubs, particularly in the Premier League and PSG.

Vinícius’s reaction to missing the Ballon d'Or

Initially silent, Vinícius later responded after seeing Rodri pose with the award. He shared a defiant message on social media, saying, "I’ll do it ten times better if I have to. They’re not ready." This was a stark contrast to the earlier celebratory plans, with up to 50 people planning to attend the ceremony, and Nike set to open a store in Madrid with Vinícius as the star guest.

Match Against Valencia Postponed

Real Madrid was looking to turn the page quickly and put a difficult week behind them with a win against the "Che" side. However, the devastating floods that have struck the Valencia region have forced the postponement of the match.