A seismic shock has hit football’s most prestigious individual award ceremony as Real Madrid launched an unprecedented protest against the Ballon d’Or organizers, with a high-ranking club source delivering a scathing indictment of what they perceive as institutional disrespect from both UEFA and France Football. The dramatic development comes amid reports that Vinicius Jr has lost out to Manchester City’s Rodri for the coveted golden ball.
In an explosive statement to AS, a Real Madrid insider laid bare the club’s fury: “If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner. Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.” This extraordinary outburst has transformed what should have been a celebration of footballing excellence into a serious institutional conflict.
The controversy has led to the unprecedented cancellation of Real Madrid’s planned delegation to Paris, which was to include not only Vinicius and his family but also a significant contingent of club officials and players. The mass withdrawal represents the first time in Ballon d’Or history that a major club has boycotted the ceremony in protest of the results.
At the heart of Madrid’s grievance lies their belief that the voting criteria have been inconsistently applied. Vinicius Jr’s instrumental role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double seemed to position him as the natural favorite. However, the club’s assertion that Dani Carvajal should have been the alternative winner, given his success with both club and country, suggests a deeper frustration with how different achievements are weighted in the voting process.
The timing of the protest, just hours before the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet, has thrown the prestigious event into disarray. The absence of Real Madrid’s contingent creates a significant void at an event that traditionally brings together football‘s elite, with the club’s decision to withdraw en masse sending shockwaves through the football community.
Real Madrid’s stance reflects broader tensions within European football’s power structure. The suggestion that both UEFA and France Football have shown disrespect to one of the sport’s most decorated institutions hints at deeper political undercurrents, particularly in an era where traditional powerhouses face new challenges from state-backed clubs.
The controversy has particular resonance given Vinicius Jr’s personal journey over the past year. The Brazilian forward has not only excelled on the pitch but has also become a powerful voice against racism in football, making his alleged snub even more politically charged. His decision to cancel his trip to Paris, subsequently backed by the entire club, speaks to the deep sense of solidarity within the Madrid camp.
The situation has also raised questions about the transparency of the Ballon d’Or voting process. While France Football executives maintain that only two people know the final results, the confidence with which Real Madrid has acted suggests they received credible information about the outcome, adding another layer of intrigue to an already controversial situation.
If reports of Rodri’s victory prove accurate, it would mark a significant shift in the award’s history, recognizing a defensive midfielder’s contribution over more attacking players. However, Real Madrid’s protest has ensured that any such breakthrough will be overshadowed by questions about the award’s credibility and the political dynamics within European football.
As Paris prepares for tonight’s ceremony, the football world finds itself at a crossroads. Real Madrid’s dramatic stance has transformed what should have been a celebration of individual excellence into a referendum on respect, recognition, and power in modern football. Whether this protest marks a temporary rupture or a more permanent shift in the relationship between football’s traditional powers and its governing institutions remains to be seen.
