The furore surrounding Vinicius Junior’s failure to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or engulfed the France Football run awards ceremony on the 28th of October in Paris. The net effect of this was that the glory of Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí was overshadowed by the petulance and ungraciousness of the Real Madrid players and board.
When Bonmatí, one of three Barcelona players to make the final shortlist of four, claimed her award, all eyes should have been on her. However, the sudden absence of Real Madrid, having been tipped off that Vinicius Junior would not win the Ballon d’Or, continued their detraction from the victories of others.
Earlier in the evening, seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Spain won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player. Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, while Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti won the award for best men’s manager. Barcelona won the best women’s club award, Real Madrid won the same award for the men’s game. However, their inconspicuous absence from the ceremony meant they had no representatives to collect it.
President Florentino Perez was informed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri was in line to win the award, and because of this Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony.
When Rodri was announced as the winner, Spanish media went into meltdown, ironically, in fact, considering Rodri was the first Spaniard to ever win the award.
One of the award’s key criteria is sportsmanship and grace – qualities Real Madrid have frequently overlooked. This lack may hinder some Madrid players’ chances for future recognition. In contrast, the journalists’ choice of Rodri, who often exemplifies class on and off the field, underscores the wisdom of their decision.
Furthermore, Spurs’ Richarlison, Vinicius Junior’s Brazilian compatriot, has laughably precluded himself from future consideration for the award out of solidarity with his countryman.
Photo Credits: “Carlo Ancelotti 2016 (cropped)” by Светлана Бекетова is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.