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The former Ballon d'Or winner has given his verdict on Real Madrid's decision to snub the gala in Paris.
The Ballon d’Or gala in Paris on Monday night was rocked by Real Madrid’s unexpected absence after learning that Vinicius Jr. would finish second behind Manchester City star Rodri.
The shocking boycott left the awards ceremony without a single representative from the Spanish giants, including figures like club president Florentino Perez, coach Carlo Ancelotti, and stars Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
The controversial move has sparked reactions, with Real Madrid legend Luis Figo expressing his surprise over his former club’s stance.
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Figo, a Ballon d’Or winner himself in 2000, weighed in on Real Madrid’s choice to abstain from attending.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Figo was quoted to have said:
“I was in the hotel when I heard the news about their absence.
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“ It surprised me; there’s always a chance of winning when you are nominated.
“When I won it, I knew the final result beforehand, but now they try and keep everything secret until the last minute.”
"There are winners and losers”
Having experienced the highs and lows of Ballon d’Or contention himself having won it in 2000, Figo acknowledged the pain of missing out on the coveted prize but suggested that it’s crucial to maintain sportsmanship.
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“There are winners and losers in every decision. I’ve lost before, so I understand the disappointment, but you always try to get everybody to attend,” the 51-year-old Portuguese legend explained, underscoring his belief that attendance reflects respect for the sport and its global recognition.
However, the former Real Madrid no.7, also expressed his excitement for Italian football’s resurgence, especially noting the strong presence of his other former club, Inter Milan, at the ceremony.
Inter Milan stars Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu earned respectable 7th and 20th place finishes, respectively, much to Figo’s delight.
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“I always follow Italian football with a lot of fondness and interest. It’s a great time for it. And my Inter are always looking really strong, this makes me very happy – The Nerazzurri are always in my heart,” he said.
While Real Madrid’s decision remains a hot topic in the footballing discuss, Figo’s sentiments is only a reminder that the Ballon d’Or is a celebration of all nominees’ accomplishments, win or lose.
