Namibian journalist responds to Pérez's criticism of his Ballon d’Or 2024 voting choices

Two days ago, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez sharply criticized the voting system for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Specifically, the 77-year-old Spaniard stated that the voting could have been conducted without journalists from Albania, Uganda, Finland, and Namibia, who did not include Vinícius Júnior in their top 10. One journalist has now responded.

Details: Namibian journalist Sheefeni Nicodemus, who participated in the voting, said Pérez would not have made such remarks if someone from a more developed country had left Vinícius out of their top 10.

Quote:

"He feels that people from my country and the other mentioned countries [Uganda, Albania and Finland] do not carry a significant vote because we are inferior people.

"I'd like to know, if I was from one of the leading football nations and I disagreed with his opinion, what his argument would be".

Interestingly, Nicodemus placed a Real Madrid player at the top of his list but chose Jude Bellingham, who ultimately finished third.

Reminder: The 2024 Ballon d’Or was surprisingly awarded to Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who beat Vinícius Júnior by 40 points.