Real Madrid opted not to attend the Ballon d’Or awards after it became apparent Vinicius Junior would miss out on the top men’s prize.
Real claimed the outcome of the Ballon d’Or shows the organisation and Uefa “do not respect” the club.
Los Blancos also claimed one interpretation of the criteria should have led to their star right-back Dani Carvajal winning the award.
Despite these shenanigans, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year – for the first time.
The 28-year-old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, was awarded the prize in Paris after helping Spain win Euro 2024 in July.
He also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.
Rodri, the first player in the club’s history to win the Ballon d’Or, claimed the award ahead of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was third – the highest an English player has finished in the award since Frank Lampard’s second-place finish in 2005.
