Florentino Perez Criticizes Journalists from Four Countries for Vinicius Jr’s Ballon d’Or Loss
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has expressed his disappointment over the voting process for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, claiming that journalists from Namibia, Uganda, Albania, and Finland played a key role in Vinicius Jr falling short of the prestigious award.
The Ballon d’Or, awarded to Manchester City midfielder Rodri this year, saw Vinicius Jr come in second place despite a stellar season. Speaking at a recent event, Perez lamented the lack of support for the Brazilian star in the voting process, particularly highlighting the four countries where journalists did not cast a single vote in Vinicius’s favor.
"If the journalists from Namibia, Uganda, Albania, and Finland had not voted, Vinicius would be the Ballon d'Or winner. 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,” Perez said.
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| Rodri win ballon dor |
The Real Madrid president also called for reforms to the Ballon d’Or voting system, advocating for a panel of coaches with “recognised prestige” to ensure credibility. "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 coaches, so that everyone understands that their reputation is also at stake with their vote,” he added.
Vinicius Jr had an outstanding 2023/24 season, playing a crucial role for Real Madrid with his remarkable goals and assists. However, the voting controversy has sparked debates about the fairness of the current system, with many agreeing with Perez’s call for change.