Former Nigerian international John Mikel Obi has criticized Real Madrid for not attending the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The Real Madrid contingent, led by President Florentino Pérez, boycotted the Ballon d'Or gala held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris on Monday, October 28, after it emerged that their star player Vinicius Junior was not going to win the award.

The Brazilian international lost the prestigious award to Manchester City's Rodrigo Cascante, who was voted the best player at the European Championship.

Mikel Obi believes the Spanish giants did not show good sportsmanship by boycotting the event.

"I mean, you have to attend the ceremony. It doesn't matter what happens—whether you win or not—you have to be there," the former Chelsea midfielder said on his podcast show.

"We all play football, and in this game, you don't have to win all the time. You win or you lose, but at the end of the day, you have to shake hands with whoever won and say, 'Congratulations, you were the better man today, and tomorrow, I will be the better man.' So, for Real Madrid not to be there to say congratulations to Rodri... and we're not just talking about a player; I think they all deserved it. I think Rodri did enough to win it. Rodri will have my vote."