“Seems that everything should revolve around them” - Javier Tebas hits out at Real Madrid for ‘childish’ attitude after Ballon d'Or controversy

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has slammed Real Madrid for snubbing the Ballon d'Or 2024 ceremony. He claimed that their behavior was 'childish' and that they believed 'everything should revolve around him.'

The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony was held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday, October 28. Previous reports suggested that Vinicius Jr. would win the coveted award. However, reports emerged on Monday that Manchester City's Rodri will win the award instead. This led to anger in the Real Madrid camp and they canceled their trip to the ceremony.

Los Blancos have faced immense criticism for this move from sections of the footballing world. LaLiga president also spoke about it a few days ago, blaming the club's 'self-victimization.' He has again shared his thoughts on the incident, telling the media (via Football Espana):

“The position is incomprehensible. It was a childish attitude, or call it what you want. To question France Football and an award that has been going on for many years and to say that UEFA has influenced not to give it to Vinicius is a lack of chivalry.

“It’s a supremacist attitude, it seems that everything should revolve around them.”

Rodri did eventually win the 2024 Ballon d'Or as Vinicius finished second and Jude Bellingham finished third.

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Pundit agrees with Real Madrid's concerns regarding Ballon d'Or criteria

Los Blancos reportedly snubbed the Ballon d'Or 2024 ceremony as they were left confused by the criteria for the award. They believe that if Vinicius Jr. wasn't deemed the winner, Dani Carvajal should've won the award as he won trophies with both club and country.

Former Real Madrid winger turned pundit Steve McManaman agrees with the sentiment, as he said (via Eurosport):

"Also, I think the biggest surprise and certainly speaking to people from Real Madrid why they’re so upset about everything is they felt that what was the criteria? Because if Rodri was to win the Ballon d'Or for his exploits in the Euros, then they almost felt that Dani Carvajal is more worthy of winning it.

"He won the league, he won the Champions League and he scored in the Champions League final, and he also won the Euros, so I think Dani Carvajal has probably had the best season that probably anybody could ever have. So Real Madrid feeling slightly aggrieved."

He added:

"I’d like to know what the criteria of the voting system is, because it’s all very secretive and only the results came out at the very, very last minute. So huge congratulations to Rodri, centre midfielder, certainly deserves it, but I can also see why there’s so much furore over the result, and I can see Real Madrid's points as well."

Vinicius and Co. will next be in action on Tuesday, November 5 as they host AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. They were scheduled to face Valencia in LaLiga this weekend but it was postponed due to the tragic floods in Valencia.