A VERY CULÉ BALLON D'OR
Barcelona takes advantage of Real Madrid's snub and dresses the Ballon d'Or in blue and red
Barça knew how to capitalize on Real Madrid's absence at the Ballon d'Or gala. A decision that is difficult to understand and with a high cost for the institution's image
Vinicius's unexpected defeat in the Ballon d'Or and, above all, Real Madrid's surprising decision not to attend the gala put Barça in the spotlight in the media and in the sport.
The culé team took advantage of the opportunity to show the world how great it is. Women's Ballon d'Or for Aitana Bonmatí, the second in a row for the player and the fourth in a row for the club thanks to the two previous ones won by Alexia Putellas. And all this accompanied by another Barça hat-trick on the women's podium with Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo and the award for best team of the year for Barça Femení. Brutal
Lamine Yamal adds and continues
Next up was the turn of FC Barcelona men's superstar Lamine Yamal. The forward from Rocafonda won the Kopa Trophy for the best player in the world under 21 years of age and, once again, broke another record. The youngest player in history to win it. But Lamine Yamal is insatiable and also made it into the "top 10" of the final ranking of nominees for the Ballon d'Or. The Barça '19' finished in eighth position, beating players such as Toni Kroos and Harry Kane.
Johan Cruyff Trophy
The Blaugrana party was complete, although there was still another great moment to come. UEFA presented the Johan Cruyff Trophy to the best male and female coach. Jordi Cruyff and Hristo Stoichcov were in charge of remembering Johan's legacy, while the screens paid tribute to the Barça legend and the Barça anthem played. Awesome.
Real Madrid were not up to the task
Real Madrid is experiencing one of the worst moments ever remembered, both at a sporting and institutional level. Barça's heavy defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu went around the world, revealing all the shortcomings of the team and its stars.
And no representative of Real Madrid attended the ceremony. Neither Florentino Pérez, nor Vini Jr, nor Carlo Ancelotti, nor Jude Bellingham. A fatal decision that once again damaged the image of the institution around the world.
Not even Emilio Butragueño, as the highest institutional representative who usually travels to international galas, was present, leaving Real Madrid without official representation at one of the most media-covered events on the football calendar.
Among other decisions, the club decided to cancel the five hours of broadcast of the gala that Real Madrid TV had planned to offer. Something that is hard to understand considering that they were awarded team of the year, coach of the year and also had three players among the top four in the Ballon d'Or.
But Real Madrid did not know how to value the importance of the event and the awards, turning what could have been a white party into something like a funeral. At Can Barça they are still celebrating.
