Real Madrid go to war with Michel Platini, demanding Cristiano Ronaldo win Ballon d'Or
Real Madrid issued a statement on Friday in response to statements from Michel Platini, who said that the Ballon d'Or must go to a German after they won the World Cup. Los Blancos demanded "strict neutrality" and argued that Cristiano Ronaldo should be chosen.
Platini said on Wednesday, in an exclusive interview with EFE: "Several players deserve the Ballon d'Or but I'm of the opinion that in a World Cup year the award should go to a world champion. This is in line with what I said four years ago when, in my opinion, the prize should have gone to a Spanish player."
The reaction of the club follows statements made by Alvaro Arbeloa and Carlo Ancelotti, who also spoke in support of Cristiano.
Real Madrid said they were "surprised by repeated demonstrations (from Platini) on his personal preferences for who should win the Ballon d'Or, especially when the head of the main body of European football should be strictly neutral."
They also wanted to remember that "the Ballon d'Or is an individual and not a collective prize awarded annually to the best player in the world," and that "we believe that to maintain its prestige, those involved in the vote must only take into account the professional qualifications of the individual players".
They finished off by stating their case for Ronaldo to win it.
"We believe without a doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo has had the best professional individual year in his history, while winning the Champions League, Golden Shoe, the record for top scorer in an edition of the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and being top scorer in the Spanish league.
"In the current season, he has won the European Super Cup, scoring two goals in the game and has spectacular records such as 20 goals in the first 12 games of the season, confirming his great form and that makes him deserve the Ballon d'Or more than ever."
