Ballon d’Or: Spain Coach Criticizes Vinicius and Real Madrid’s Absence as “Bad for Football

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has reacted to Real Madrid not being present at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Real Madrid opted not to travel to France for the Ballon d’Or after being aware that their forward Vinicius wouldn’t win the award.

Vinicius, alongside his teammates Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger, did not travel to France for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Speaking on the development, De la Fuente insisted that the absence of Vinicius and other members of Real Madrid at the award gala is not good for football.

He said (via Fabrizio Romano): “It is not good for football that a club like Real Madrid is not present at a gala of this nature.”