Florentino Perez finally breaks silence on Real Madrid decision to boycott Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid prima Vinicius Jr missed retired connected winning the Ballon d'Or, contempt the Spanish giants' politicking up of the awards, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri taking the apical prize - a determination which pb to Florentino Perez insisting his nine boycott the ceremony

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended the club’s determination to boycott the Ballon d'Or.

Los Blancos protested aft learning Vinicius Jr had missed retired connected the apical prize to Manchester City prima Rodri. The club's entourage were acceptable to instrumentality a backstage level to the lawsuit successful Paris connected the Monday afternoon, only to halt earlier boarding aft getting connection that the Brazilian guardant had missed out.

As specified the likes of brag Carlo Ancelotti, England prima Jude Bellingham - who placed 3rd overall - and each of nine officials elected to basal down. Ironically, it came astatine a clip wherever Madrid were opening to beryllium linked with Rodri successful the Spanish media arsenic a imaginable transportation target, contempt his existent wounded issues.

Now, speaking astatine the club’s General Assembly, Perez was asked to explicate his decision. He praised Rodri arsenic a “great footballer”, adding “we emotion him”, but past deed retired astatine the voting system, insisting that was wherefore they boycotted the ceremony.

“They’ve changed the voting system,” said Perez. “It’s astonishing that, fixed the football, determination are countries successful which journalists with little than a cardinal inhabitants present person a vote. There are journalists that cipher knows and they person entered to ballot this year. Without the votes of journalists from these countries similar Uganda, Namibia, Albania and Finland, Vinicius would person won this Ballon d’Or.

“The strategy indispensable alteration and they indispensable beryllium recognised radical who hazard their prestige with these votes. For each these reasons, we did not be the Ballon d’Or gala.”

Perez besides spoke retired connected the arguable European Super League which helium continues to push, portion criticising the caller Champions League format, declaring: “Nobody understands it.”

Following tribunal rulings against UEFA and FIFA implicit the proposal, which swiftly deed the buffers erstwhile it was archetypal announced successful April 2021, Perez added: “Today I americium much optimistic than ever. Breaking the monopoly of shot has required a titanic effort, with pressures that would person brought down anyone, but not us.

“We tin consciousness arrogant . Now it is up to america to enactment the courts’ ruling into practice. The format volition beryllium 100 per cent meritocratic. The ruling of the European Court has fixed america backmost our freedom.”

Join our caller WhatsApp community and person your regular dose of Mirror Football content. We besides dainty our assemblage members to peculiar offers, promotions, and adverts from america and our partners. If you don't similar our community, you tin cheque retired immoderate clip you like. If you're curious, you tin work our Privacy Notice.