Barcelona center-back Pau Cubarsi has admitted he was not shocked to see Vinicius Junior lose out to Rodri in the Ballon d'Or race.
Many expected Real Madrid star Vinicius to win the award earlier this week, before news emerged confirming he would not, at which time someone connected to the Spanish team decided to boycott the ceremony.
While many Real Madrid stars took to social media to support Vinicius, FC Barcelona's Cubarsi admitted he thought Rodri deserved the win.
"I wasn't surprised that Vinicius didn't win, he was very similar to Rodri," Cubarsi told RAC1.
Cubarsi also expressed his disappointment at Real's decision not to attend the ceremony, insisting that the award candidates are present.
"Being in the top 10 or top 20 of the Ballon d'Or is already a good reward and a footballer needs to be there," Cubarsi continued. "Dani Olmo and I were there and we didn't win.
La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Real Madrid of childish behavior in the face of defeat and condemned the La Liga giants' decision not to return.
"I think that Real Madrid has missed that gentle behavior that has always been one of its characteristics, and that is also part of its anthem, that of shaking hands when losing," he explained. "A lack of gentle behavior that was absent for some time. I was not surprised. It was a childish attitude, an exaltation, whatever you want to call it."
"We have already seen the attitude of Real Madrid TV with the videos. We see a supremacist behavior around which everything must be carried out."
NEXT MORE
How to Watch Serie A in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
How to Watch Bundesliga in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
UEFA Cuts Ticket Prices for Away Fans in European Club Competitions
Real Madrid's 2024-25 Champions League Group Stage Schedule
Complete fixtures and results for the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage
How to Watch Champions League in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
