Real Madrid president Perez BLASTS Rodri's Ballon d'Or win

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 24 Nov 2024 08:04 CST
• 4 min read

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has taken a massive swipe at Rodri's Ballon d'Or win this year, doubling down on his club's controversial decision to boycott the award show last month.

The Manchester City midfielder won the Ballon d'Or 2024 after trophy success with his club as well as with Spain during the summer's European Championship.

When it was revealed that Vinicius Junior would not be winning the most coveted prize a player can achieve in football, he and the rest of the Real Madrid squad announced that they would be boycotting the award ceremony in Paris.

READ MORE: Who won Ballon d’Or 2024? Final ranking and past winners

The club felt outraged that their attacker missed out and landed in second place, so they all refused attendance. Rodri was reportedly booed as he collected his award on the night, too.

And now, at Real Madrid's general assembly, Perez has defended the decision and even taken aim at some of the nations who voted at the gala.

Perez takes aim at Ballon d'Or

"Rodri deserved a Ballon d'Or, but not this year", he explained in quotes picked up by Footboom1. "This year, the Ballon d'Or should have gone to a Real Madrid player, regardless of the criteria applied.

"Whether it was Vinicius, as the clamouring of fans worldwide suggested; or our captain, Dani Carvajal, if extra weight was given for the Euro; or even Jude Bellingham. It is very difficult to explain that no player from Real Madrid won it. Surprising things have happened," said Perez.

He also spoke about the involvement of French publications and bodies, saying that their decision to increase the voting pool led to Real Madrid players missing out. "'L'Equipe and France Football, they claimed to have no influence, but they did.

Sr. Florentino Perez Rodriguez los periodistas que “no conoce nadie” de Uganda o Namibia no les hace menos profesionales porque no les conozca nadie (o no los conozca usted).

Ni les hace menos personas para ejercer su derecho a voto si la FIFA lo estima oportuno por estar en… pic.twitter.com/3n7O2GkCNs

— ÁFRICA FUTBOLERA (@AfricaFutbolera) November 24, 2024

"They increased the number of players eligible to vote from five to ten and raised the points each journalist could allocate to a player. It is surprising that in such a global sport, journalists from populous countries like India are not voting... while others with less than a million do. And no one knows them!

"Without Namibia, Uganda, Albania, and Finland, Vinicius would have won the Ballon d'Or," he said.

"Moreover, these countries didn’t give any votes to Vinicius! None! At least the Finnish journalist resigned, acknowledging his mistake and stating he would not return to the jury. I appreciate that," he said.

"We should ask what criteria are used to select journalists that no one knows. But they can do whatever they want. First, I would ask 'L'Equipe' if it makes much sense to partner with UEFA at a time when clubs are fighting for our freedom.

Perez continued: "Let everyone understand that their votes affect their reputation. For this reason, Real Madrid deemed it appropriate not to attend this Ballon d'Or gala."