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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"970b46ce-81b6-494d-942a-ff5ab2ea4651","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><ul><li>Vinicius missed out on Ballon d'Or to Rodri</li><li>Heading to Leganes next in La Liga</li><li>Club issue video ahead of clash</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

VIDEO: Vinicius Jr has Ballon d'Or stolen by Leganes mascot ahead of Real Madrid's return to La Liga

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

<p>Los Blancos return to La Liga action after the international break with a trip to Butarque to take on Leganes. Vinicius Jr will be part of the squad just weeks after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/official-rodri-wins-ballon-d-or-beating-real-madrid-superstar-vinicius-jr-to-biggest-individual-award-in-football/bltf74941fa191d49cd" target="_blank">narrowly missing out on winning the Ballon d'Or</a>. Leganes have now had a bit of fun ahead of the game by releasing a video showing the prestigious award being captured and taken to the club's stadium, only to be swiped out of the Real Madrid dressing room by the one and only Super Pepino.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dear friends of <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadrid</a> , the story tells that in Leganes dreams come true....😉 <a href="https://t.co/raiSnzyaWp">pic.twitter.com/raiSnzyaWp</a></p>— C.D. Leganés 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@CDLeganes_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/CDLeganes_en/status/1858806920431178142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WATCH THE CLIP

<p>A caption at the end of the video reads simply: "Dear Real Madrid friends, they say that in Leganes dreams come true, but we hope it is not in this match..."</p>

WHAT LEGANES SAID

<p>Real Madrid were so unhappy at seeing Vinicius miss out on the prestigious award <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-au/lists/pathetic-petty-real-madrid-boycott-ballon-dor-ceremony-rodri-vinicius-jr-scandal/bltf01e465b97fab36a" target="_blank">they ended up boycotting the ceremony</a>, while the Brazilian was told to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/vinicius-jr-urged-get-ballon-dor-out-head-start-playing-well-amid-real-madrid-struggles/blt7b3e8a4d8e7ec730" target="_blank">"get the Ballon d'Or out of his head"</a> and focus on his football. Vinicius certainly did that last time out in La Liga, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win for Madrid over Osasuna.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Real Madrid will be hot favourites to take all three points against Leganes on Sunday. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side may just have one eye on their next fixture, as they head to Liverpool three days later for a blockbuster Champions League clash.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID

VIDEO: Vinicius Jr has Ballon d'Or stolen by Leganes mascot ahead of Real Madrid's return to La Liga | Goal.com US

Leganes have prepared for the visit of Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid with a special video featuring the Ballon d&apos;Or and mascot Super Pepino.