Ballon D'Or Polemic Hasn't Stopped, La Liga Boss Criticizes Real Madrid's Absence

JAKARTA - La Liga president Javier Tebas criticized Real Madrid for boycotting the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Los Blancos canceled their planned trip to the French capital after learning that Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who will be announced as the winner of the prestigious award rather than Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.

Although Vinicius did not win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid has been named the Best Male Club this season and Carlo Ancelotti won the award as Best Coach or Trophy Johan Cruyff.

As a result, neither Ancelotti nor Los Blancos representatives received the award directly, including Kylian Mbappe who won the Gerd Muller Trophy with Harry Kane.

"I'm a Real Madrid fan. The most important values of this club are being a real man and shaking hands when you lose."

"I think Real Madrid have long lost that spirit. They should have come to the ceremony and not question the transparent France Football system, with 100 journalists voting."

"Real's involvement as a victim is unnecessary and exaggerated. I don't know where they want to go," Tebas told L'Equipe.

Several Los Blancos players were also nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, such as Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde.

Then, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was nominated as the Best Goalkeeper. However, in the end, the Yashin Trophy winner was Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, while the Monday was ranked third.

Adapun pemain muda Real Madrid, Arda Guler, masuk nominasi untuk Trofi Kopa. Hanya saja, dia akhirnya kalah dari Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).

Meanwhile, Vinicus did get defense from many people, of course, including from Real Madrid players. You see, his contribution to the club is somewhat better than Rodri.

Vinicius scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in all last season to bring Real Madrid to La Liga champions.

The contribution included his team's second goal in a Champions League final win against Borussia Dortmund last season.