Real Madrid was named men’s club of the year after winning their 15th European Cup and 36th Spanish league title, but no representatives attended the ceremony to accept the award, signaling a clear message as the event proceeded without recognizing their achievements.
Real Madridβs players made the decision not to attend the Ballon dβOr ceremony in Paris, influenced by their belief that star forward Vinicius Jr would ultimately lose the top prize to Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri. This sentiment was compounded by a sense of discontent regarding the awards, which was apparent in the club’s last-minute cancellation of their attendance after βleaked resultsβ indicated that Rodri had garnered more votes than Vinicius and Jude Bellingham.
In addition to the backdrop of award politics, the recent 4-0 defeat suffered by Real Madrid at the hands of their arch-rivals Barcelona during the latest Clasico only deepened the mood of despondence surrounding the club. Following this disappointing loss, Real Madrid has opted for a total blackout of posts across their social media outlets, demonstrating a clear intention to refrain from any public acknowledgment of the Ballon dβOr ceremony.
Vinicius Jr, a pivotal player for Real Madrid, was long perceived as a frontrunner for the Ballon dβOr because of his extraordinary contributions to the club’s triumphs in both the Champions League and La Liga last season. However, the 24-year-old is now projected to finish second in the overall voting; a situation that reflects a tangled web of emotions surrounding the awards.
Rodri, who is poised to make history as the first defensive midfielder to receive the Ballon dβOr, previously showcased his exceptional skills at the summer European Championships where he was named player of the tournament, leading Spain to a victory over England in the final held in Berlin. It is noteworthy that Rodri has recently been sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, yet his potential victory places him in a rare category of only five different players to win the award since 2007, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo being the dominant figures throughout that period.
The voting process for the Ballon dβOr is determined by a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, making Rodriβs anticipated success a highly public matter. The perceived boycott from Real Madrid regarding the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet has drawn significant attention, with the club consciously abstaining from participation amidst the unfolding drama.
In addition to Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid had multiple other nominees, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, and retired midfielder Toni Kroos, all vying for the men’s top honor. Furthermore, Carlo Ancelottiβs name also appeared on the shortlist for menβs coach of the year, showcasing the clubβs overall strength and talent. Despite being clear favorites to capture the men’s club of the year award due to their historic achievements in the Champions League, the boycott reportedly led by President Florentino Perez underlines a significant discontent within the institution.
Another notable absentee from the evening’s festivities is Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who has chosen to travel to Sweden instead. There, he intends to support his former club Malmo as they aim for a victory against rivals IFK Gothenburg, which, if successful, would clinch their second consecutive Allsvenskan title and mark their fourth triumph in five years. This match kicked off just 50 minutes prior to the start of the Ballon dβOr ceremony in Paris, emphasizing the diverging paths of these athletes amid the spectacle of footballβs most prestigious award night.
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