Outrage in Barcelona over Ballon d’Or shortlist

Barcelona management takes a firm stance against “France Football” awards

The announcement of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees has not gone smoothly within the halls of FC Barcelona. The club’s sporting director, Deco, issued strong statements criticizing the criteria used to exclude the duo Raphinha and Pedri from the final list.

Deco: The evaluation lacks fairness and objectivity

Reflecting the frustration within the Catalan club, Deco asserted that the performances of Raphinha and Pedri last season were worthy of recognition. He pointed out that the absence of their names from the nominee list is a surprising and illogical decision, considering the significant technical impact both players had on the team’s setup.

The former Portuguese star added that Barcelona’s management believes their players demonstrated a consistent level of performance and remarkable development, and that the current criteria for individual awards are now raising many questions among fans and observers alike. Deco emphasized that the club will always support its players, considering that their absence from this list does not diminish their technical value or their vital role in the club’s future project.

Ongoing controversy over Ballon d’Or criteria

Deco’s statements have reignited the controversy surrounding the selection mechanism for the Ballon d’Or, especially as the award remains the most debated in the football world every year. Many observers consider that Raphinha’s offensive performance and Pedri’s individual skill in the midfield should have been sufficient to place them among the contenders, strengthening the sporting director’s stance in defending his stars.