Well, the Ballon d'Or award was presented last night. Big deal, as far as Real Madrid fans are concerned. Real Madrid rightfully cut ties with the establishment, and won't be partaking in any ceremonies for the near future.
The fallout happened last year, when Rodri was given the once-prestigious award over Vinícius Júnior, who was unanimously the greatest men's player in the world.
Still, Real Madrid fans would have been grateful that Lamine Yamal didn't lift the award. Instead, he was dubbed the second-best men's player of the year, with former Barcelona flop Ousmane Dembele winning the award for the first time.
Any fan who watches the game regularly could have told you that Lamine Yamal didn't deserve to win the award. Yes, he's obviously a great player, and it's impressive considering his age, but he isn't near the world's best yet.
Lamine Yamal just validated Real Madrid's protests over Vinícius Júnior
In fact, for Yamal to be granted second place is a compliment in itself. But even then, we know that the award lacks any validity.
Let's break it down further: Lamine Yamal's second-place finish this season is considered equal to Vinícius Júnior's second-place finish last year. Right, make it make sense.
Vinícius Júnior, at the time of last season's awards, was by far and away the best player in the world. This is not just the opinion held by Real Madrid fans, but many respected individuals.
Yamal, while the whole world can appreciate what he's doing at this age, is not in the conversation of the best player in the world. He isn't now, and he wasn't in the year leading up to this award.
Yes, Barcelona had a better year than Real Madrid. We'd be silly if we didn't admit this, even a retirement team could have had a better year than Real Madrid. However, this doesn't automatically make Yamal the second best player in the world.
If it does, then this sport must hope for new heroes this year. Yamal is not his end product yet, and it's clear to see by the flaws in his game. He is a predictable player who certainly still has mistakes in his game.
So, for Yamal's year to be considered at the same level as Vini's last season only makes Real Madrid's protests even more valid.
It just put the icing on the cake, as far as Real Madrid is concerned. This award is incredibly flawed and not one to be taken seriously.