Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has criticized the voting system that crowned Rodri Hernández as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.
At the club’s General Assembly, Pérez defended the idea that it is “very difficult to explain” why no player from his team received the Ballon d’Or, citing “surprising things” that happened. are produced during the process. He alluded to UEFA’s involvement and a change in criteria which led to Real Madrid not attending the ceremony. This argument sparked significant discussion outside and was met with applause in the room, resonating with the disappointment felt by Madrid fans regarding the recent ceremony in Paris.
“Rodri deserved a Ballon d’Or, but not this year. This year, the Ballon d’Or should have gone to a Real Madrid player, regardless of the criteria applied. Let it be Vinícius, as fans around the world claim whole; or our captain, Dani Carvajal, if extra weight had been given for the Euro; or even Jude Bellingham It is very difficult to explain that no Real Madrid player won it. happened,” Pérez explained.
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In his speech to the club assembly, Pérez highlighted UEFA’s entry this year as co-organizer of the award as one of those “surprising things”. He said: “In the announcement from UEFA, who are co-organizing the award for the first time with ‘L’Equipe’ and France Football, they claimed to have no influence, but they had some. They increased the number of players eligible to vote from five to ten and increased the points each journalist could allocate to a player. It is surprising that in such a global sport, journalists from many countries like India do not vote. .. while others with less of a million do it. And no one knows them! Without Namibia, Uganda, Albania and Finland, Vinícius would have won the Ballon d’Or,” he remarked, casting doubt on them. voting criteria with comments that were warmly applauded during the meeting.
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“Moreover, these countries did not give any votes to Vinícius! None! At least the Finnish journalist resigned, recognizing his mistake and declaring that he would not return to the jury. I appreciate that,” he said. he declared, pleading for a change in voters. “We should ask ourselves what criteria are used to select journalists that no one knows. But they can do whatever they want. First of all, I would ask ‘L’Equipe’ if it makes much sense to to associate with UEFA at a time when clubs are fighting for our freedom,” he stressed.
Pérez insisted that “votes for the Ballon d’Or must be in the hands of people with recognized prestige.” He continued: “Let everyone understand that their votes affect their reputation,” explaining his absence at the last ceremony: “For this reason, Real Madrid considered it appropriate not to attend this Ballon d’Or gala.”
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Additionally, Florentino Pérez expressed warm words for Vinícius, who was the contender to win the best player award last season. “We are proud to have a player like Vinícius Junior. For us and the majority of supporters and football lovers, he is the best player in the world. Dear ‘Vini’, the Madrid community is proud of you for your sacrifice and your fight against what you had to endure, often unfairly,” he said, supporting his player.
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