Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez sends Man City Rodri message in new Ballon d'Or meltdown

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has doubled down on his Ballon d'Or stance after Manchester City star Rodri won the award last month.

The Los Blancos president has reiterated his belief that a Real star should have won the award, claiming UEFA had changed the voting for this year's proceedings. Not a single representative from the La Liga club were at the award ceremony, snubbing the event despite winning the Men's Club of the Year, with Carlo Ancelotti winning the 2024 Men's Coach of the Year Award, now named the Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy.

The Spanish club boycotted the event due to Vinicius Jr. coming in second place, behind Rodri in the votes. According to relevo, speaking at Madrid's annual general meeting on Sunday, Perez said: "The award was organised by UEFA for the first time. Rodri is a great footballer (there is applause in the room) and also from Madrid. He has all our affection. But that has nothing to do with it.

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"It's obvious that this year it should have gone to a Real Madrid player , whatever criteria were applied, whether it was Vinicius, our captain Carvajal or Bellingham . It's very difficult to explain the final result. Surprising things have happened and I want to tell you about them.

"UEFA has altered the voting system and the points that each journalist can give to each player. Journalists who nobody knows and from countries with less than a million inhabitants have participated.

"Without the votes of four of them - Finland, Albania, Uganda and Namibia - Vinicius would have won. Some have not even included him in the top 10! At least the Finnish journalist has resigned. Well, look, I appreciate that.

"I think the Ballon d'Or has to be independent and the voters have to recognise prestige. Real Madrid considered it appropriate not to attend the gala because of all this."