The Spanish branch of Chupa Chups sparked a bold moment online by taking aim at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior after the Ballon d’Or recognition did not go his way. A cheeky post appeared on the brand’s social feeds, using humor and a touch of mischief to ride the news cycle and keep the conversation buzzing among fans around the globe.
In the post, the caption teased with a wink: ‘Looks like someone didn’t have a good evening… We’ve prepared a golden evening for you, Vini!’ The playful line leaned into the award’s glittering symbolism, turning a private moment into a public joke that quickly captured attention.
Because the message traded on ambiguity and timing, it spread rapidly across platforms. Within 24 hours the post drew about 2.2 million views, sparks of debate lighting up the comments as fans weighed in on talent, luck, and the meaning of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Vinícius, who had embraced the possibility of winning, appeared confident in the days leading up to the ceremony. He even offered a congratulatory note to Rodri, the Spain midfielder who plays for Manchester City, underscoring the friendly rivalry among top players from different clubs and leagues.
Earlier in the evening Vinícius had already faced light-hearted jibes at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, a reminder that the trophy race is as much a media spectacle as a showcase of skill. Rival fans and commentators traded memes and quick-witted remarks, turning his near miss into a broader talking point.
October 26 saw Real Madrid suffer a heavy 0-4 defeat to Barcelona in La Liga. In a moment captured on camera, Vinícius directed a quip toward Gavi, the young Catalan midfielder, saying, ‘Yes, it was 0-4, but I’ll still go to the Golden Ball on Monday.’ The line underscored the heated atmosphere of the season’s title chase and the playful warfare between rivals.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony took place in Paris on October 28. France Football awards the Ballon d’Or to the best male football player of the calendar year, and the prize is widely regarded as football’s most prestigious individual honor. The award has a long history, dating back to 1956, and it serves as a global benchmark for personal achievement on the field.
Earlier, Anton Miranchuk spoke about how nationality can influence a club’s interest in a player, noting that some teams were reluctant to sign him because of his background. His remarks fed into broader conversations about recruitment, bias, and opportunity in modern football.
The episode underlines how social media, rivalry, and tradition intersect in a season defined by individual honors, team battles, and the constant push to capture the sport’s highest individual prize.