Real Madrid wins Club of the Year though absent from Ballon d’Or Ceremony over Vinicius Junior’s suppose snub.
Despite not being present at the grand ceremony, UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid clinched the Club of the Year award. Reports from Monday night indicated that the Spanish giants were displeased with France Football Magazine’s decision to exclude forward Vinicius Junior from the best men’s player nominations.
Instead, Real Madrid learned through an anonymous source that the prestigious accolade would be awarded to Spanish midfielder Rodri. According to AFP and Spanish media, Real Madrid expressed that its representatives would not attend an event “where it is not respected” after receiving news of Vinicius’ omission.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” the club stated in a communication to AFP and Spanish outlets. “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.”
Ultimately, even though club manager Carlo Ancelotti and summer signing Kylian Mbappe received individual honors, neither attended the ceremony to accept their awards. By the conclusion of the event, it was clear that no player or official from Real Madrid was in attendance.
In response to Rodri being named the Ballon d’Or winner, Vinicius took to X to express his determination, stating, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
