There was relatively little controversy as Karim Benzema climbed the stairs to accept his Ballon d’Or award last night. It tends to one of the more hotly debated topics amongst fans but this year, the decision appeared about as unanimous as can be in the world of opinion. The same cannot be said for the Club of the Year award.
Manchester City came away with the trophy after a remarkable season, winning the Premier League in style. However they did not pick up either of the cup competitions in England and in Europe, it was Real Madrid who knocked them out.
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 17, 2022
Los Blancos tweeted out the two eyes emoji shortly after the award was announced, a non-explicit show of surprise. It is fair to question the decision, given Real Madrid won their domestic competition and the Champions League. The latter they did so in fairy-tale fashion, putting together a number of scarcely believable comebacks.
Real Madrid not being named club of the year is a (bad) joke.
On the pitch:
– won the Champions League
– won La Liga by a mileOff the pitch:
– made a profit
– modernising their stadium into (arguably) the best in the worldLiterally what else could they do?!
— Andy West (@andywest01) October 17, 2022
The reaction in Spain on the whole has been one of bewilderment. What exactly the criteria for the award was remains unclear.
Speaking after the gala, Thibaut Courtois explained that the Real Madrid players themselves found it absurd.
🎙 Thibaut Courtois: "When Manchester City won the trophy for the best club? We looked at each other and laughed." pic.twitter.com/1Ngt1LtNBm
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 18, 2022
