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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Los Blancos cancelled their trip to the French capital at the last moment on Monday after they found out that Manchester City’s Rodri would be given the prestigious Ballon d’Or award instead of their star winger Vinicius Jr. As a mark of protest, the entire club decided to give the ceremony a miss.
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GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Spanish champions’ decision to boycott the event has not gone down well with La Liga chief Tebas, who has accused the club of “exaggerated victimhood”. He also defended France Football’s system of selecting the winners, with votes collected from a panel of journalists.
WHAT JAVIER TEBAS SAID
Speaking to L’Equipe, Tebas said: “I am a Real Madrid fan. The most important values of this club are being a gentleman and shaking hands when you lose. I think Real Madrid lost that spirit a long time ago. They should have gone to the ceremony and not questioned France Football’s system, which is transparent, with 100 journalists voting. Real’s victimhood is unnecessary and exaggerated. I don’t know where they want to go.”
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Carlo Ancelotti’s side must get over Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or snub quickly as they look to get back to winning ways after their setback in El Clasico last weekend. Real Madrid will next take on Valencia on Saturday in La Liga.
