L'Equipe: "Real Madrid ungraciously trampled upon the values of sport—respecting the winner."

The 2024 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony concluded, and Real Madrid’s delegation did not attend the event. Following the ceremony, *L'Équipe* (the parent publication of *France Football*, which organizes the Ballon d'Or) published an article criticizing this decision, stating: *"Real Madrid ungraciously trampled upon the values of sport—respecting the winner."*

Full Article from *L'Équipe

On Monday evening, while celebrating Rodri’s coronation at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the world of football realized that the magic of the game lies beyond the territories dominated by today’s prolific scorers: a midfielder was chosen as the world’s best player, a choice that reflects fairness, surprise, and significance. It represents a counter-move by architects against soloists, showing that *France Football*’s panel of judges opted to honor intelligence, precision, and collective spirit over mere statistics, no longer viewing strikers as the unquestionable rulers of the sport.

This event was also shocking because Real Madrid, unwilling to attend without knowing the winner in advance or accepting a winner outside their own ranks, ultimately refused to show up. They protested Vinícius’ rumored loss by holding back their other winners, especially Carlo Ancelotti and Kylian Mbappé. Three days after a 4-0 loss to Barcelona, Madrid added another failure—this time in conduct—tarnishing the values of sport with an absence of respect for the victor. Their actions make it difficult for them to expect similar respect in the future, yet this behavior perhaps reflects the mindset of a club indifferent to the greater good of football, eager to select their competitors and replace the Champions League with a Super League they could better control.

Meanwhile, this rivalry that was supposed to dominate the next decade has barely begun. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who made their first appearances on the podium last year, were notably absent this autumn. Mbappé will turn 26 this December. At that age, Lionel Messi had already won the Ballon d’Or four times. The French national team captain will soon have to reflect on whether he will ever claim the award. Expectations for his career were quite different: he was meant to sweep through competitions like a storm.

Despite scoring 52 goals in what might seem like a disappointing season, he has faced numerous doubts rather than recognition, highlighting what he hasn’t achieved and no longer delivers. He must once again put his body at the heart of his weekly performances and career, rekindling his passion as a player. He must not become merely a forward judged on goals alone, nor a figure of nostalgic acceleration. When a season yields so little impact after a Champions League semifinal, a European Championship semifinal, and 52 goals, it indicates he may have drifted slightly from football’s core. At 26, it is time to reconnect with it.