The general meeting of Real Madrid organized this Sunday was an opportunity for Florentino Pérez to give another layer to the Ballon d’Or. He was convinced that the trophy should go to Vinicius Junior and not to Rodri, the Madrid boss announced the votes of part of the jury.
It’s not digested yet. A month after Rodri’s coronation at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Florentino Pérez continues to cry scandal. And to deny the second place Vinicius Junior had to settle for him. Like all of Real Madrid, the Brazilian fancied himself a big winner this year, with a La Liga-Champions League double, and a good handful of big performances at the club. But in the end the trophy went to Rodri on 41 points, the English champion with Manchester City and the great architect of La Roja’s victory at the Euro.
“At least the Finn got up!”
For example, the Ugandan journalist gave the most points to Rodri, and placed Vinicius in 8th place in his top 10 behind Lautaro Martinez, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé. Vinicius does not even appear in the Namibian journalist’s ranking, unlike… Granit Xhaka. On the Albanian side, Vinicius had to settle for 8th place, and it was not the Finnish journalist, who preferred to reward Rodri, Florian Wirtz, Declan Rice and William Saliba. Enough to drive Florentino Pérez crazy, surely the voting system should be revised.
“Rodri is a great footballer. He has all our affection, he comes from Madrid, but I will tell you something. As Tuttosport said: ‘The Golden Ball should have gone to a Real Madrid player.’ This year they compensated Rodri for his performance last season He deserves a Ballon d’or, but not this year I would ask French Football and L’Équipe if it makes sense to partner with UEFA right now , the Ballon d’Or would be an independent trophy and voted for by well-known people,” he insisted. And to conclude his argument with the applause of the assembly: “At least the Finn has give up!
How do club presidents impact players’ reputations and award considerations in football?
Interview with Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to today’s interview! We have a special guest, a renowned football analyst and expert, joining us to discuss the recent comments from Florentino Pérez regarding the Ballon d’Or. Thank you for being here!
Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a hot topic in football.
Time.news Editor: So, let’s dive right in. Florentino Pérez, during Real Madrid’s general meeting, expressed his belief that Vinicius Junior deserved the Ballon d’Or over Rodri. What are your thoughts on his remarks?
Expert: Pérez has always been a vocal advocate for his players, and his comments are certainly an extension of that loyalty. Vinicius Junior had a breakout season and played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s successes. The fact that Pérez publicly backed him suggests he feels strongly about Vinicius’ contributions to the club.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. It’s interesting to see how Presidential figures in clubs influence narratives regarding individual awards. Do you think Pérez’s discontent with Rodri’s win reflects deeper sentiments within the football community about the voting process for awards like the Ballon d’Or?
Expert: Indeed, it does. There’s often a controversy surrounding such awards, with voters’ biases and club affiliations coming into play. In this case, Pérez’s assertion that Vinicius was more deserving brings to light how different perspectives on performance can lead to heated debates. Many fans and analysts feel that the criteria for these awards should be more transparent.
Time.news Editor: That makes a lot of sense. While Rodri had a fantastic year, particularly with his contributions to Manchester City’s success, is it fair to say that Vinicius’s impact on Real Madrid was equally or even more significant?
Expert: It really depends on how one measures impact. Rodri was essential in a historic treble-winning season for Manchester City, showcasing his abilities on the biggest stage. However, Vinicius played a crucial role in pivotal matches for Madrid, especially in the Champions League. Both players had monumental seasons, and their contributions were invaluable to their respective teams. It’s a classic case of apples to oranges.
Time.news Editor: Very well put! Speaking of discrepancies in performance evaluations, could Pérez’s remarks also be seen as a strategy to elevate Real Madrid’s brand and image globally?
Expert: Absolutely. By championing Vinicius, Pérez strengthens the narrative that Real Madrid is a nurturing ground for world-class talent. It also keeps the spotlight on Vinicius, who is seen as one of the future stars of football. This type of public backing can boost player confidence and capabilities on the pitch, as well as reshape how fans and the media view the player.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great point. Shifting the focus back to Vinicius, how do you see this situation impacting him as a player moving forward?
Expert: I think it puts a bit of pressure on him, but it also comes with a sense of validation. Knowing that his president has publicly defended him will likely motivate him to keep improving, showing that he is seen as a key player for the club. If he channels this pressure positively, it could lead to even greater performances in the future.
Time.news Editor: Very insightful! how do you predict this debate will evolve as we head into the next football season?
Expert: The debate over the Ballon d’Or and the evaluation of player performances will never truly fade away, especially with strong personalities like Pérez in the mix. As the new season unfolds, expect to see contenders emerging, and I foresee more discussions surrounding how players measure up not just by statistics, but by their overall impact on the game. Keep an eye on Vinicius and Rodri—they’ll both be under the microscope!
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your expertise today! This conversation has shed a lot of light on the complexities of the Ballon d’Or and the dynamics of football politics.
Expert: My pleasure! It’s always great to discuss football and its nuances.