BALLON D’OR were forced into an awkward moment as Real Madrid failed to collect their award.
The Spanish giants were named Club of the Year after winning LaLiga and the Champions League.
But not a single club representative was present as Real Madrid boycotted the awards ceremony, with an awkward silence in the room as host Didier Drogba read out their name as winners.
He added: “Congratulations to them,” before moving on swiftly.
Real Madrid boycotted the show Vinicius Jr missed out on the top prize to Rodri.
The winger was amongst the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or following an impressive campaign in which he scored 24 goals and registered 11 assists.
But Vinicius Jr was not even in attendance to see his rival walk on stage to collect the prize, nor were any of his team-mates or coach Carlo Ancelotti, who failed to collect his Coach of the Year gong.
Drogba said in response to his absence: “I’m disappointed my former coach is unable to be here to collect the award.”
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is reportedly furious Vinicius has been overlooked.
The club also believe they are “not respected” – convinced that if not Vinicius Jr, then Dani Carvajal should win the award.
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Another Real star Jude Bellingham finished third in the voting.
A Real Madrid player last won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 when Karim Benzema was named the world’s best player.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
