Florentino Perez finally breaks silence on Real Madrid decision to boycott Ballon d’Or
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr missed out on winning the Ballon d’Or, despite the Spanish giants’ politicking ahead of the awards, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri taking the top prize – a decision which lead to Florentino Perez insisting his club boycott the ceremony
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended the club’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or.
Los Blancos protested after learning Vinicius Jr had missed out on the top prize to Manchester City star Rodri. The club’s entourage were set to take a private plane to the event in Paris on the Monday afternoon, only to stop before boarding after getting word that the Brazilian forward had missed out.
As such the likes of boss Carlo Ancelotti, England star Jude Bellingham – who placed third overall – and all of club officials elected to stand down. Ironically, it came at a time where Madrid were beginning to be linked with Rodri in the Spanish media as a potential transfer target, despite his current injury issues.
Now, speaking at the club’s General Assembly, Perez was asked to explain his decision. He praised Rodri as a “great footballer”, adding “we love him”, but then hit out at the voting system, insisting that was why they boycotted the ceremony.
“They’ve changed the voting system,” said Perez. “It’s surprising that, given the football, there are countries in which journalists with less than a million inhabitants now have a vote. There are journalists that nobody knows and they have entered to vote this year. Without the votes of journalists from these countries like Uganda, Namibia, Albania and Finland, Vinicius would have won this Ballon d’Or.
“The system must change and they must be recognised people who risk their prestige with these votes. For all these reasons, we did not attend the Ballon d’Or gala.”
Perez also spoke out on the controversial European Super League which he continues to push, while criticising the new Champions League format, declaring: “Nobody understands it.”
“We can feel proud . Now it is up to us to put the courts’ ruling into practice. The format will be 100 per cent meritocratic. The ruling of the European Court has given us back our freedom.”
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