MADRID — Real Madrid’s last-minute boycott of the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night has ignited controversy within Spanish football, with La Liga president Javier Tebas accusing the club of displaying a “lack of elegance.”
The decision came after a leaked report revealed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri would win the prestigious award, snubbing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal.
Real Madrid had prepared a 50-person delegation to attend the event in Paris, where they expected Vinicius, their standout forward, to be crowned the best male player in the world.
Dani Carvajal, the club’s right-back and a European Champion with Spain, was also expected to place high in the ranking.
But upon learning that Rodri would take the top honor, club president Florentino Perez ordered the delegation’s withdrawal, stating that Real Madrid would not attend an event where their players were “not respected.”
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” Real Madrid stated following the decision to cancel the trip.
“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.”
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga and a vocal Madrid supporter, criticised the boycott, asserting that Real Madrid should have accepted the results with grace.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Tebas remarked, “I’m a Madrid fan. The important values of this club are to be a gentleman and to shake hands when you lose.”
He continued, “I think Real Madrid lost that mentality a long time ago. They should have gone to the ceremony and not questioned the France Football system, which is transparent, with 100 journalists voting.”
According to Tebas, Real Madrid’s move reflected a “victimhood” that was “exaggerated” and counter to the “elegance” he believes the club once stood for. “We also experience this lack of elegance in Spain,” he added.
The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony on Monday, October 28, 2024, confirmed the initial report: Rodri, a cornerstone of Manchester City’s Premier League campaign and a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, won the award for best male player.
Vinicius placed second, with teammates Jude Bellingham and Carvajal taking third and fourth spots. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland rounded out the top five.
Vinicius, who delivered an impressive season with 26 La Liga goal involvements and six Champions League goals, was initially seen as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or.
However, Rodri’s accomplishments, including his pivotal role in Manchester City’s league title and Spain’s European triumph, ultimately swayed the vote.
The controversy adds tension to an ongoing rivalry between Real Madrid and other football institutions.
This latest boycott underscores the complex dynamics within European football, as top clubs contend with the influence and recognition—or lack thereof—extended by global award organisations.
