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The Real Madrid president was upset that unfamiliar countries were allowed to vote in the Ballon d'Or process
Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has openly expressed his frustration over Vinicius Junior missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The Los Blancos star was a strong contender for football’s most prestigious individual accolade but finished second, much to the disappointment of the club and its supporters.
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Perez specifically criticised the voting process, citing four countries, including two from Africa, for not awarding Vinicius a single vote.
Perez upset with Ballon d’Or process
Vinicius enjoyed an incredible 2023/24 campaign, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists, driving Real Madrid to a Champions League triumph and their 36th LaLiga title.
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Despite this stellar performance, the Brazilian winger fell short in the Ballon d’Or standings, and at a recent event, Perez made his grievances with the award organisers known.
"If the journalists from Namibia, Uganda, Albania, and Finland had not voted, Vinicius would be the Ballon d'Or winner,” Perez said, adding, “These countries did not give Vinicius a single vote. Not one! The Finn, at least, has resigned and said he will not be part of the jury again."
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Perez went on to criticise the current voting system, saying, "The Ballon d'Or must be organised independently, and the votes for this award must be in the hands of people of recognised prestige. The reputation of the award and those who vote should be at stake."
Perez explains Ballon d’Or ceremony boycott
Real Madrid’s dissatisfaction with the voting process led the club to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
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Perez attributed this decision to the involvement of “countries we do not know,” claiming this undermines the integrity of the award.
"We do not know who voted for them, from countries we do not know. For all these reasons, Real Madrid considered it appropriate not to attend this edition of the Ballon d'Or gala," Perez concluded.
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Despite this setback, Vinicius has started the 2024/25 season in scintillating form, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in just 17 appearances.
His performances have reignited hopes of him clinching the prestigious award in the future, possibly as early as 2025.
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