Real Madrid’s backing of Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or push may be irritating Vinicius

Vinicius Junior could be frustrated by Real Madrid’s apparent support for Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or campaign, according to a report by The Athletic journalist Mario Cortegana.

Real Madrid have kept a relatively low profile in this year’s individual award race after ending last season without a major trophy. Mbappe, however, has openly promoted his candidacy following a prolific campaign in which he finished as the leading scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup. Real Madrid

Despite his individual achievements, the French forward faces questions over his lack of major silverware with club and country.

According to The Athletic, a source close to a player who has a good relationship with both forwards suggested that Vinicius might be annoyed by the club’s backing of Mbappe. The claim has not been independently confirmed, and there has been no public statement from the Brazilian addressing the report.

The situation has revived discussion about the relationship between the two attackers, who were expected to form a formidable partnership following Mbappe’s arrival in Madrid in 2024. However, their ability to consistently produce their best performances together has remained a subject of debate.

Real Madrid have also faced scrutiny over their dressing-room atmosphere following a difficult run of results. Nevertheless, reports of tension between individual players should be treated cautiously in the absence of direct confirmation.

With the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaching, the focus remains on whether Mbappe’s individual numbers will outweigh the importance of team honours in the final vote.