The trophy remained on the desk. The film projected on the giant screen of the Châtelet theater was nevertheless successful, synthesizing in images, music and statistics a new season of Real Madrid’s domination of European Football. After its fifteenth victory in the Champions League, the Spanish club had logically just been crowned “best men’s club of the year”. But no one came to collect the statuette, and Sandy Heribert and Didier Drogba, the two bilingual hosts of the 2024 Ballon d’or evening, found Gros-Jean as in front, half contrite, half dismayed.
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“Well done to them,” decided the first by continuing without transition, as they say in the jargon, with a tribute to the late Franz Beckenbauer. A little later, neither Kylian Mbappé, top scorer of the season (52 goals), nor Carlo Ancelotti, voted best coach, appeared to thank the public and the jury. “Unfortunately, Carlo Ancelotti could not be with us this evening”lamented the mistress of ceremonies, while the former OM scorer expressed his “big disappointment” not to see his former coach again at Chelsea.
“Lack of respect”
What happened to Real Madrid’s recipients? A few hours earlier, Florentino Pérez had learned that his Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr., the overwhelming favorite to succeed Leo Messi on the list, would not be the winner. But everything was ready to celebrate with great fanfare the 10th Golden Ball in the history of the “White House”.
If the dissensions are indeed deep and augur a disillusioning future for European football, nothing justified such a diva’s whim
Furious, the Madrid president ordered his troops (around fifty people) not to take the plane to Paris. The club will point, half a voice, a supposed “lack of respect” of France Football (creator of the trophy) and UEFA to explain its boycott, convinced of paying for its support for the creation of a Super League competing with current competitions.
If the dissensions are indeed deep and augur a disillusioning future for European football, nothing justified such a diva’s whim (and what a diva, the Callas of football) who would suddenly deny the very principle of sport: winners, losers. “ This is not understandable for an adult and a club as big as Real, even scathing local legend Raùl, coach of the Madrid reserve team. We should be very proud. »
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Indeed: the winner of the 68th Ballon d’Or is Spanish. His name is Rodri, he plays for Manchester City and notably won the Euro with his selection this summer in Germany. For years, as discreet as he is decisive, the midfielder has brought honor to the game. Much more than those who cast a shadow over his anything but scandalous coronation.
