Dorival Júnior classified the fact that Vinicius Junior did not win the Ballon d’Or award from France Football magazine as “an unfair situation”. For the coach of the Brazilian team, despite the Spanish Rodri, from Manchester City, being a great player, the Real Madrid star was more decisive in the season.
“In my opinion, it is an unfair situation, especially because it is an individual award. Nothing against whoever won the award, quite the contrary, it is the recognition of one of the great athletes of Spanish football, but Vinicius, for the work he did, should have received different attention”, said Dorival.
The national team coach also said that despite coming second in the traditional French magazine award, Vinicius Junior achieved great recognition from the Brazilian people. “The greatest award that Vinicius won was the recognition and respect of his people. The vast majority of the Brazilian people realized the injustice that was done to the athlete who could have deservedly received the award.”
Absent from Brazil’s last squad because of a cervical injury, the Real Madrid player was once again on Dorival’s list for the next qualifiers.
On the 14th, after a period of training in Belém, Brazil faces Venezuela, in Maturín, at 5 pm (Brasília time). Then, on the 19th, they face Uruguay, at 9:45 pm, at Fonte Nova, in Salvador.
See those called up
Goalkeepers: Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City) and Weverton (Palmeiras)
Sides: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco), Abner (Lyon) and Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG)
Defenders: Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG) and Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham) and Raphinha (Barcelona)
Attackers: Estêvão (Palmeiras), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City) and Vini Jr (Real Madrid)
