'Rodri deserves one, but not this one': Florentino blasts Ballon d'Or

Rodri's Ballon d'Or win continues to sting at Real Madrid. On Sunday, at a General Assembly where a multitude of topics were discussed, the France Football trophy was the subject of a speech by Florentino Perez. The president spoke openly about an award that he considered "unfair" and which was "clearly influenced by UEFA".
"First of all, I want to make it clear that Rodrigo is a great footballer. I want him to know that this has nothing to do with him," Florentino began. He then read an excerpt from a Tuttosport editorial: "Rodrigo deserves a Ballon d'Or, but not this one. Last year City won the treble and he scored, but he didn't even finish on the podium? They wanted to make up for that this time. I agree," Perez claimed.
"Rodrigo has all our affection and deserves a Ballon d'Or, but not this one. It should have gone to a Real Madrid player, regardless of the criteria applied. The clamour was for Vinicius, but it could have gone to our captain Carvajal. Or even Bellingham," the president insisted during the assembly.
"It's very difficult to explain, but there are some surprising things," he added and continued: "The UEFA statement said that his entry had had no impact on the voting system. Well, if it hasn't, I'm going to tell you.
"They have altered the voting system - from five players to 10 - and also the number of points - from six to 15 - and it is surprising that, with football being so global, journalists from countries with as many people as India and others with less than a million, yes, vote. And nobody knows them," he continued.
"Without Nambia, Uganda, Albania and Finland, Vinicius would have won the Ballon d'Or. On top of that, these countries didn't give Vinicius a single vote - none! The Finn has at least resigned. And said he won't be on the jury again. Look, I appreciate that.
"You would have to ask the organisers what the criteria are, but obviously they can do what they want at no cost. I would ask France Football and L'Equipe whether it makes much sense to get together with UEFA just now. The Ballon d'Or should be an independent trophy and voted for by recognised professionals," Perez concluded.