Ballon d’Or 2022 … Interesting reunions
By Maria Mark
At the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and seating areas were the scene of several intriguing interactions during the Ballon d’Or. One in particular with Kylian Mbappé and Florentino Pérez caught our attention. The gap between the two was more than obvious this time, as opposed to earlier occasions when every gesture made by one or the other was interpreted as an approximation.
The combination of what transpired last summer and the recent developments around the Frenchman’s desire to leave PSG has created the ideal storm, but Real Madrid wants to be clear that no approach has been made. There is no room for conjecture regarding a potential club interest.
For two hours, the president and the striker were in the same room. Nasser Al-Khelaifi did not want to miss Leo Messi’s award presentation last year, and on this occasion, the president of PSG did not want to attend France Football’s tribute to Real Madrid.
There were other reunions as well. After the Zinedine Zidane bid farewell to the Madrid bench, he and the club’s president met once more. A kiss from the president to one of his prized acquisitions and one of Madrid’s most illustrious managers was exchanged during their warm meeting.
The Frenchman attended the Bernabéu, but he was in his own private box rather than an honorary one. Although they had not coincided, he had also visited Valdebebas to meet his two children who were still working in the white quarry