So I’ve only recently started following football and decided to watch the ballon d’or awards last night for the first time. I can confirm it will also be my last.
The vibe I was getting was that it’s obviously meant to be a prestigious award show. It is giving the most prestigious but individual awards in football - I think.
However, the issues with language barriers is weird. No English translations besides one guy speaking a few words every 10 minutes who you couldn’t hear. I’m not sure if this is different on other platforms but on TNT/discovery for the UK this was the case.
The production was lack luster and clearly a little unorganised. Focus was put on the awards being brought down from the Eiffel tower in LV suitcases and sent on a speed boat. Glitz, glamour, gold etc but not in a good way?
All but few guests seemed to not want to be there. Most seemed uncomfortable and awkward. Didier did a decent job but all in all the wording choices of their questions were weird, suggesting and had to force people to answer when they clearly didn’t want to.
Also the booing of Martinez was a shambles.
I’m just curious as to why this is the case. Is there anything in the past that people don’t like about the show which makes them not want to be there? Is it all the language barriers so people are on edge? Why isn’t it better organised? Or am I wrong?
I watched on TNT as well, and it was a shambles. Who thought it was a good idea to have a guy translating in real time, whilst his volume is lower than that of the hosts? I couldn’t hear either of them in the end. Did no one think to have the translation transcribed on screen???
It was also really weird when Aitana Bonmati won her balon d’or and half the crowd didn’t even bother applauding. She looked so uncomfortable and almost embarrassed. Then Drogba had to remind the crowd to applaud her and to give her a standing ovation.
Even if you don’t want to be there, at least make your fellow professional feel respected in their moment, especially as a female player when they whole thing is still largely focused on the male game.
Couldn’t agree more! Got to the point where I thought I’d rather just be hearing them speak French at the very least because I couldn’t hear either at that point.
I noticed that too with Bonmati, Drogba had to help get her to the middle of the stage, encourage the applause and for her to attempt/pretend to enjoy the moment. Felt bad for her.