La Liga president slams Madrid over Ballon d'Or boycott

La Liga president Javier Tebas says Real Madrid compromised their values by boycotting the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.

The Spanish club canceled travel arrangements to France after discovering that Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior wasn't going to win the Ballon d'Or. The prestigious individual award went to Manchester City midfielder Rodri instead.

"I am a Real Madrid fan," Tebas told L'Equipe, according to ESPN.

"The most important values of this club are being a gentleman and shaking hands when you lose. I think Real Madrid lost that spirit a long time ago. They should have gone to the ceremony and not questioned France Football's system, which is transparent, with 100 journalists voting. Real's victimhood is unnecessary and exaggerated.

"I don't know where they want to go."

Despite the snub, Real Madrid was named the best club of the season and manager Carlo Ancelotti was named the best coach after guiding Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League titles to cap off a dominating 2023-24 campaign.

Vinicius had 24 goals and 11 assists for the 15-time European champions.

His former Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, thinks his former team was justified in skipping Monday's ceremony.

"I don't think there is anyone else who deserves it more than him (Vinicius)," Benzema told El Chiringuito, as translated by ESPN.

He added: "I have nothing against Rodri, who is a good player. But I'm on my couch, I watch television and Rodri doesn't do things that make me say 'Pffff,' and Vinicius has done that more than once."