Javier Tebas, the president of Spain’s La Liga, directed a pointed critique at Real Madrid as the club’s representatives skipped the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Tebas’s remarks were picked up by Euro-Football.Ru and cited from L’Equipe, signaling a public dispute that underscored the friction between the league and football’s most prized individual honour. The comments framed a broader dialogue about sportsmanship and accountability, hinting at how the event has evolved into a stage where relationships between clubs, leagues, and the organizers are tested. The moment reflected a widening gap in how different parts of the football ecosystem view the ceremony and its significance. Attribution: Euro-Football.Ru; L’Equipe.
According to Tebas, the core values of Real Madrid require dignity and courtesy, even in defeat. He argued that the club ought to respond with a handshake and respect for the result, a tradition he believes the team has drifted away from in recent seasons. He asserted that the players should have attended the ceremony instead of challenging the credibility of the France Football selection process. The message was delivered as a reminder that a club’s public conduct matters far beyond trophies, shaping perceptions among fans, sponsors, and rival clubs alike. This stance fed into a wider debate about tradition, transparency, and responsibility on a stage that magnifies every decision. Attribution: France Football; L’Equipe.
On October 28, Rodri, the Spain midfielder who also represents Manchester City, was named the Ballon d’Or winner. The triumph placed him at the center of a crowded ballot that featured standout performances from Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, from Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, and from fellow City teammate Erling Haaland. Rodri arrived at the ceremony on crutches after a knee ligament injury sustained in the Premier League clash with Arsenal on September 25, a reminder that great feats often come with personal hurdles. The result underscored the shifting dynamics of European football, where midfield maestros are increasingly celebrated for their influence across the pitch. Attribution: France Football; L’Equipe; Euro-Football.Ru.
Vinicius Junior entered the evening with clear confidence, believing the prize could be his. He spoke about his form and his chances, and he even prepared a moment of celebration for the ceremony. In the end, the trophy did not go his way, and Rodri stood tall as the recipient. The reactions in the room and online reflected how closely fans had tracked every hint of sentiment from the Brazilian winger, whose campaign had featured stunning goals and relentless pace. Attribution: France Football.
Two days earlier, on October 26, Real Madrid had been routed by Barcelona in a 4-0 league showdown that sent shockwaves through the domestic season. During the post-match chatter, Vinicius fired back with a bold comment aimed at Gavi, the Barcelona midfielder, noting that the scoreline would not deter him from pursuing glory at the upcoming Ballon d’Or. The exchange highlighted the combustible mix of club pride and personal ambition that framed the ceremony’s lead-up. Attribution: L’Equipe; Marca.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by the French magazine France Football to the best player of the calendar year. It has long stood as one of the sport’s most prestigious individual honours, chosen by a panel of experts and journalists from around the world. The award’s history began in 1956, and since then it has become a focal point for narratives about talent, form, and influence over an entire season. Attribution: France Football.
After the ceremony, Vinicius was seen publicly accepting an unusual proposition in the wake of the defeat, a moment that quickly joined the post-event conversations in Madrid and beyond. The episode added a human thread to the night’s drama, reminding observers that triumphs and disappointments can shape decisions and public perception for weeks to come. Attribution: L’Equipe; Euro-Football.Ru.