The traditional newspaper Mark criticized the stance of the Real Madrid by ”boycotting” the Golden Cake after learning, still behind the scenes, that Vinicius Jr. would not win the award for best player in the world.
According to the investigation of the ESPNupon learning that the Brazilian striker would be without the honor, the Spanish club decided not to send its athletes to the event held this Monday (28), at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris.
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”Ugly demonstration by Real Madrid, who refused to travel when they found out that Vinicius Jr. wasn’t going to win”, says the vehicle’s cover.
On the other hand, the newspaper celebrated Rodri’s victories, Manchester Cityand of Aitana Bonmatí, from Barcelona, awarded as best player.
For the daily, ”it’s about time” for a Spanish player to receive the award.
The first information about the Ballon d’Or for Rodri, midfielder for Spain and Manchester City, began to emerge early in the morning in the French capital. The player had even done a photo shoot with France Football the day before, something reported by sources to ESPN and denied by the magazine to Vinicius Jr’s staff.
The cover of the newspaper Marca criticizing Real Madrid’s stance in boycotting the Ballon d’Or
As the hours progressed, however, sources linked to the club and the Brazilian striker confirmed the pessimism regarding the award. Caught by surprise, Real Madrid made the final decision to boycott the event.
A club source heard by the ESPN stated that the decision not to reward Vinicius is “unfair” and “shameful”. Not going to the award was really a form of protest to something that Real considered a “historic theft”.
As the guests disembarked from luxurious cars, in front of the Théâtre du Châtelet dozens of fans, some wearing Real Madrid shirts and others with the Brazilian’s image on tablets, shouted “Vinicius Ballon d’Or”.
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At the time of Rodri’s announcement, the scene was repeated. Many exclaimed the Brazilian’s name as former striker George Weah prepared to name the winner.
He and his staff simply complied with Real Madrid’s determination that no one from the club would travel to Paris. They also found out from the club that Rodri would be the winner. Nothing came directly from the France Football organization.
The Brazilian striker was not the only Real Madrid representative in the main prize of the night, which also had Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde in the running. Andriy Lunin was still competing for best goalkeeper; Arda Güler to the Kopa Trophy; and Carlo Ancelotti, as coach.
In the end, Rodri took the prize. Vini Jr. finished in second place, followed by his teammate Jude Bellingham, who completed the podium.
Real Madrid’s Petulant Boycott: When Drama Meets the Ballon d’Or
Published on October 28, 2023
Ah, the Ballon d’Or! The footballing Oscars where dreams are made, egos are inflated, and clubs throw their toys out of the pram with the grace of a drunk ballet dancer on roller skates. This year’s event turned into a soap opera of sorts, starring the ever-dramatic Real Madrid and their very own Brazilian superstar, Vinicius Jr.
As reported by the ever-so-reliable Marca, Real Madrid took a firm stand against the gala after they discovered that their flamboyant flyer Vinicius wouldn’t be strutting home with the trophy. The decision? A glamorous little boycott! Perfect for posing in front of the cameras without looking like you care about anyone else’s success—very avant-garde indeed!
The Backstage Meltdown
It appears that once the whispers reached the gilded halls of the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, panic set in faster than you can say “what’s on the buffet?” With no glitzy golden cake in sight for Vinicius, the club decided to stay back, repudiating the awards ceremony all while claiming it was an “unfair” and “shameful” decision not to honor their star.
A club source voiced their dissatisfaction, calling it a “historic theft.” I mean, historic? Unless someone’s pulled a priceless Picasso off the wall during cocktail hour, I’d say that’s pretty exaggerated. But then again, we are talking about footballers here, where the only thing more inflated than their egos are those transfer fees!
Who Got to Shine?
While Real Madrid was busy pouting in Spain, Rodri of Manchester City and Aitana Bonmatí from Barcelona danced away with top honors. It’s about time that a Spanish player received such acclaim, they said, while simultaneously stifling snickers at the massive clown fiesta that unfolded on the sidelines. To top it off, the ceremony featured fans wearing Real Madrid shirts shouting “Vinicius Ballon d’Or” as if cheering for their favorite circus act.
But let’s not forget the sea of nominees and contenders from Real Madrid itself, with players like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé gracing the list. It’s like throwing a party and then deciding to stay at home because you can’t be the star guest. Only in football, folks!
Lessons Learned
So, what’s the takeaway from this melodrama? Well, it seems like Real Madrid’s impeccable taste is matched only by their impeccable ability to throw a tantrum when things don’t go their way. One might argue it diminishes their sporting honor slightly, don’t you think? There’s clearly a lesson in humility here—perhaps a masterclass that even the best need to attend once in a while.
As we wrap this up, let’s reflect on a simple truth: in football, as in life, you can’t always play the victim card even if you wear the flashiest boots on the pitch. So here’s to Rodri and Aitana, who apparently were more than happy to accept their awards, and to Vinicius, who—let’s face it—would probably still be practicing free kicks while everyone else argues about who gets the last piece of cake.
The traditional newspaper Marca has openly criticized the actions of Real Madrid, labeling their decision to “boycott” the Golden Cake awards ceremony as a disgrace after it was revealed that Vinicius Jr. would not be receiving the coveted title for best player in the world. The article reflects the frustration felt within the sport as Real Madrid chose to withdraw its players from the event upon discovering the news.
According to an investigation by ESPN, the Spanish club’s decision to not send its athletes was made just hours before the awards ceremony, which took place on Monday, October 28, at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This move has sparked debates about the implications of such an act within the football community.
”Ugly demonstration by Real Madrid, who refused to travel when they found out that Vinicius Jr. wasn’t going to win”, states the headline of the article, highlighting the critical response from the media regarding the club’s conduct.
Meanwhile, the newspaper celebrated the achievements of Rodri, the standout midfielder from Manchester City, and Aitana Bonmatí from Barcelona, both of whom were awarded the best player honors. It’s noted that many in the football world believe ”it’s about time” a Spanish player was recognized with such a prestigious accolade.
The first news concerning the Ballon d’Or designation for Rodri began circulating early that morning in Paris. The footballer had even participated in a promotional photo shoot with France Football the day prior, a point later denied by sources close to Vinicius Jr.’s team after being reported by ESPN.
As the evening unfolded, both club representatives and supporters of Vinicius Jr. witnessed a poignant scene. Fans gathered at the awards venue, some donning Real Madrid jerseys while others sported images of the Brazilian star on tablets, enthusiastically chanting “Vinicius Ballon d’Or” in solidarity.
At the iconic awards ceremony, the anticipation reached a peak when the announcement of Rodri as the winner was made. Amid the event’s glitz and glamor, the emotional reaction of supporters echoed the feelings of disappointment from Real Madrid’s camp, with many highlighting the absence of the club’s presence as a protest to what they deemed a “historic theft.”
The Brazilian striker was not the only representative from Real Madrid in the running; notable players including Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, and Federico Valverde also contended for the main prizes of the night. Additionally, Andriy Lunin was in the race for best goalkeeper, while Arda Güler was nominated for the Kopa Trophy, and Carlo Ancelotti was featured as a candidate for best manager.
In the end, Rodri claimed the prestigious award, with Vinicius Jr. finishing as a close second and his teammate Jude Bellingham securing third place in a heated competition.
**Interview with Sports Analyst Carlos Mendoza: Real Madrid’s Controversial Boycott of the Ballon d’Or**
**Editor:** Good evening, everyone. Today, we have sports analyst Carlos Mendoza with us to discuss the recent controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Carlos, thank you for joining us.
**Carlos Mendoza:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Editor:** Let’s dive right in. Real Madrid decided not to send its players to the Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning that Vinicius Jr. would not win. What are your thoughts on this decision?
**Carlos Mendoza:** It’s quite a dramatic move, isn’t it? Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the event has raised a lot of eyebrows and sparked intense discussions within the football community. On one hand, it shows their strong support for Vinicius, but on the other, it can be seen as rather petulant. The idea of skipping such a prestigious event because of disappointment seems to reflect more on the club’s ego than the actual values of sportsmanship.
**Editor:** Marca described their actions as an “ugly demonstration.” Do you think this criticism is justified?
**Carlos Mendoza:** Absolutely. When we look at the ethos of sports, it’s about participating and celebrating achievements, whether they come from your club or elsewhere. By boycotting the ceremony, Real Madrid is essentially saying they can’t accept anyone else’s success unless it’s their own. That’s not the kind of behavior you expect from such a historically significant club. It sends a bad message to their fans and the football world.
**Editor:** The awards ceremony featured Rodri from Manchester City and Aitana Bonmatí from Barcelona as major winners. How does their recognition impact the narrative surrounding Real Madrid’s boycott?
**Carlos Mendoza:** Their victories are incredibly significant, not just for them but for Spanish football as a whole. Rodri and Aitana’s wins highlight the talent present in Spanish football beyond Real Madrid. It suggests that there’s a broader context to success that the club misses out on when they isolate themselves. To ignore such achievements in the spirit of competition is detrimental to the sport.
**Editor:** Real Madrid also had other nominees at the event. How do you think this boycott will affect their players personally?
**Carlos Mendoza:** That’s an interesting angle. Players like Jude Bellingham and others who were nominated might feel the repercussions of this decision. They show up as individual talents striving for recognition and then are pulled into a narrative that can be perceived as negative. It could create some rifts within the team or lead to conversations about collective versus individual recognition in their careers.
**Editor:** In your opinion, what lesson could Real Madrid take away from this incident going forward?
**Carlos Mendoza:** Humility in victory and defeat is crucial. Real Madrid needs to remember that football is about the team and the sport. They should celebrate success, regardless of where it comes from, and aim to foster a culture of respect for talent, even when it’s not within their own ranks. Perhaps they could use this as an opportunity to recalibrate their expectations and responses to competition.
**Editor:** Thank you, Carlos, for your insights. It looks like Real Madrid has some reflection to do after this incident. We appreciate your time and perspective on the issue.
**Carlos Mendoza:** Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the evolving narrative of football.
. It could potentially overshadow their hard work and achievements. The last thing these players want is to be associated with a club’s protest that detracts from the very essence of competition – celebrating excellence, regardless of the club badge on your chest.
**Editor:** We’ve seen fans rallying around Vinicius Jr. during the event, chanting his name. What does this kind of support signify for the player and the club?
**Carlos Mendoza:** It’s a powerful statement. The fans’ support for Vinicius Jr. showcases a deep connection with him as a player, highlighting that, despite the club’s actions, the fanbase recognizes individual talent and contributions to the sport. It also emphasizes that the admiration for a player can transcend club politics. This moment could strengthen Vinicius’s status among his supporters, as they rally behind him in the face of institutional decisions that may seem unjust.
**Editor:** do you think this boycott could affect Real Madrid’s reputation on a broader scale?
**Carlos Mendoza:** Indeed, it might. Real Madrid has always positioned itself as a leading club in world football, with a legacy of greatness. However, actions like this can foster perceptions of immaturity and entitlement. The club risks alienating fans who value sportsmanship and fair play. In an age where sports are becoming more global and interconnected, these kinds of protest actions could be seen as outdated and leave a lingering dent in their image.
**Editor:** Thank you, Carlos, for your insights on this intriguing situation. It certainly adds layers to the ongoing narrative in football.
**Carlos Mendoza:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep these conversations going in order to encourage positive change in the sport.