Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has sparked controversy after publicly criticizing journalists from Namibia, Uganda, Albania, and Finland over their voting in the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards. The remarks came during Real Madrid’s AGM, where Pérez expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to award the prestigious prize to Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri over Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris last month, citing dissatisfaction with the voting process. Pérez argued that the prize, organized by France Football and UEFA for the first time this year, should be handled independently and voted on by “well-known and prestigious people.” The Ballon d’Or is decided by 100 journalists worldwide, each ranking their top 10 players from a shortlist.
In the final tally, Rodri secured 1,170 points, narrowly beating Vinícius, who garnered 1,129 points. Pérez claimed that votes from the mentioned countries played a decisive role in denying Vinícius the award.
Namibian journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus, one of the voters criticized by Pérez, responded strongly to the remarks. Speaking to Cadena SER, Nikodemus said: “If he feels like people from my country and the others mentioned do not have significant votes because we are inferior, I wonder what his argument would be if I were from a leading football nation and still disagreed with his opinion.”
Nikodemus labeled Pérez’s remarks as “words from someone frustrated” and defended his right to vote based on merit. Pérez lamented the omission of Vinícius from some journalists’ top 10 lists, calling it “incomprehensible.” He argued that players like Vinícius, Dani Carvajal, or Jude Bellingham deserved the award this year, given Real Madrid’s achievements, including their LaLiga and Champions League double last season.
“Rodri is a great player, and he deserved a Ballon d’Or, but not this one. This year, it should have gone to a Real Madrid player,” Pérez stated. He further suggested restructuring the voting system to involve individuals with a more prominent reputation in football.
The incident has sparked discussions about inclusivity and representation in global football awards. Pérez’s comments highlight ongoing tensions about how awards like the Ballon d’Or are decided and who gets to have a say. Critics argue that limiting votes to “prestigious” individuals could exclude diverse perspectives and reinforce existing power dynamics in football.
As the debate continues, it raises broader questions about how football recognizes talent and ensures fairness in its most prestigious awards.