Florentino Pérez has chaired the Real Madrid Assembly of Delegated Members and has not hesitated to harshly attack UEFA. The president neither forgets nor forgives that Vinícius Júnior has not been proclaimed as the 2024 Ballon d'Or and has not held back when speaking about this matter. Recognizing that Rodri deserved "without a doubt a Ballon d'Or, but not this one" , Florentino has pointed out the guilty ones.
In this year's Ballon d'Or voting, with UEFA's entry into the organization, the voting for the award went from 5 players to the current 10. As if that were not enough, representatives of very small countries with no soccer tradition have been introduced as jury members for the award.
Florentino Pérez did not mince his words, pointing out that " if the journalists from Namibia, Uganda, Albania and Finland had not voted, Vinícius Júnior would've been the Ballon d'Or. These countries did not give Vinícius any votes ." The Real Madrid president added: "Not one! The Finn, at least, has resigned. And he has said that he will not be part of the jury again. Look, I appreciate that."
Concluding the matter regarding the Ballon d'Or, Florentino Pérez said: " It has to be organized independently and the votes for this award must be in the hands of people of recognized prestige, the coaches, so that everyone understands that their reputation is also at stake with their vote ." He concluded: "We don't know who voted for them, from countries we don't know. For all these reasons, Real Madrid considered it appropriate not to attend this edition of the Ballon d'Or gala."
Florentino Pérez, Real Madrid's Public Support for Vinícius Júnior
Speaking personally about Vinícius Júnior, Florentino Pérez is clear that he is the player who should shape the future of Real Madrid . "For us and the fans of the sport, you are the best player in the world. Dear Vini, I want you to know that the Madrid fans are proud of you. Your sacrifice, talent and fight have led you to be the player you are," he said.
The Real Madrid president's plan is to renew Vinícius Júnior's contract, which ends in 2027. He has aroused strong interest from Saudi Arabia, but the Brazilian striker is clear that his future lies in continuing at the best team in the world. Florentino Pérez also wants it that way.