Real Madrid Absent from Ballon d’Or Ceremony, Citing Lack of ‘Respect’

Real Madrid, despite being named club of the year, did not attend Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. This absence occurred after their forward, Vinicius Junior, who recorded 24 goals and 11 assists during the 2023-24 season, was surpassed by Manchester City’s Rodri for the best men’s player award. According to reports from news agency AFP and Spanish media, the European champions stated that their representatives would not participate in an event where Real felt “not respected,” following information that Vinicius would not receive the esteemed award. Both Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and forward Kylian Mbappe secured individual accolades; however, neither was present to accept their respective awards. Spain international Rodri, aged 28, claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of Vinicius and his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham. Brazil international Vinicius, 24, served as Real Madrid’s leading goal scorer last season, a period during which the Spanish club secured victories in both the Champions League and La Liga. Following Rodri’s confirmation as the recipient, Vinicius posted on X: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.” Reports indicated that Real also believed Vinicius’ team-mate Dani Carvajal had been disregarded for the primary award. In a statement provided to AFP and Spanish media, the club asserted: “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 statement continued: “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.” However, before the ceremony, organisers had stated that “no player or club knows who has won the Ballon d’Or.” BBC Sport has sought comment from Real Madrid. Organised by France Football, the awards are determined by a voting process involving a panel of journalists from the top 100 Fifa-ranked nations. Each journalist selects 10 players from a pool of 30 nominees, ranking them from tenth to first. The player ranked first receives 15 points, with 12, 10, eight, seven, five, four, three, two, and one points allocated to the remaining nine players in their top 10. The individual accumulating the highest total points after voting is awarded the Ballon d’Or. While winners in prior editions were disclosed several days before the ceremony, organisers opted to maintain the winner’s anonymity this year. Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of France Football, informed French newspaper L’Equipe that “No-one knew at Real or at City.” He added: “The emotion that Rodri had on stage, that is the best answer. He was not aware of anything.” Garcia further stated: “I had a lot of pressure from Real Madrid but, as with other clubs, I was always clear and fair. Maybe my silence made them change their minds.” Garcia mentioned that all participating clubs had been informed that the winner would not be revealed prior to the ceremony, and he speculated whether Real’s choice to be absent contained “an element of bluffing.” “It was a close victory, it wasn’t decided by much,” Garcia commented. He elaborated: “Vinicius probably suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, it took away a few points.” Rodri, who became the first Premier League-based winner since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, remarked: “It is their decision.” He continued: “They have decided not to come and we have to accept that. I am focusing on my club. I will go and celebrate this award with them.” Mbappe shared the Gerd Muller trophy, designated for the best men’s goalscorer in Europe, with England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, as both players concluded last season with 44 goals. Didier Drogba, a former Chelsea striker who hosted Monday’s ceremony, expressed his “disappointed” at the absence of his former manager Ancelotti, who had won the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy for coach of the year. Ancelotti subsequently posted on X: “I want to thank my family, my president, my club, my players and above all Vini and Carvajal.” Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni shared a photograph of himself with team-mate Vinicius, adding the caption: “Nothing will take away what you’ve achieved my brother. We ALL know… They are not ready for what you’re gonna deliver.” Former Brazil forward Rivaldo, a Ballon d’Or winner in 1999, voiced criticism regarding the choice to disregard Vinicius Jr., stating: “In my opinion he is the best and should have won and I don’t understand the criteria used by the people who voted.” Brazil women’s football icon Marta commented: “I waited all year for Vini Jr to be deservedly recognised as the best player in the world and now they come to tell me that the Ballon d’Or is not for him?” Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Real had initially intended to send a delegation of 50 individuals and had cancelled plans to air a five-hour program on RMTV.