Real Madrid made headlines on Monday night by boycotting the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, despite being awarded Club of the Year.
The decision stemmed from the club’s dissatisfaction with France Football Magazine’s omission of star forward Vinicius Junior from the nominations for the best men’s player.
Reports indicate that Real Madrid was informed that the coveted award would instead go to Spanish midfielder Rodri.
This news prompted the club to express their disappointment, stating they would not attend an event where they felt disrespected.
In a statement to the press, the club asserted, “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner.
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As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”
While manager Carlo Ancelotti and summer signing Kylian Mbappé were set to receive individual honors, neither attended the ceremony, reflecting the club’s stance.
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The absence of any player or official from Real Madrid was notable throughout the evening, emphasizing their discontent with the selection process.
Vinicius Junior himself took to X (formerly Twitter) to react to Rodri’s victory, stating confidently, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to.
They’re not ready,” hinting at his determination to continue proving his worth on the field.
The boycott raises questions about the integrity of the Ballon d’Or selection process and highlights the ongoing tensions between elite clubs and award organizers.
Real Madrid’s firm stand underscores their commitment to what they believe is fair recognition for their players, especially in light of their recent successes on the European stage.
