"And as ever there must be a winner. Was it the first nauseating thing at the Theatre du Chatelet; the crowd of otherwise normal Parisians transformed into fame-zombies, thronged against the barriers four hours before the ceremony, whooping and gawping as bored-looking blokes moved broadcast boxes around, baying at passing female TV presenters, spectating the buildup to an awards do in a state of celebrity delirium?"
"Or was the most nauseating thing the pre-ceremony outrage in the French media, who railed at this soiree de folie because Paris Saint-Germain had to play an actual football match the same evening, postponed from Sunday because of storms, rather than being present at a fancy party, a state of fomo that seems a little at odds with the new humble non-ego PSG."
The 69th Ballon d'Or ceremony presented a spectacle of celebrity delirium that blurred celebration and commerce. Fans queued hours early and reacted like fame-seekers while staff prepared broadcast equipment. French media expressed outrage when Paris Saint-Germain prioritized a rescheduled match over attendance, exposing a tension between spectacle and actual sport. Awards framing and new categories like the 'team action' prize often favor marketable names and SEO-friendly shortlists rather than genuine collectivism. The event exemplified the superhero-ising of elite players and the tendency to confuse athletic talent with moral virtue. Club owners benefit from promoting individual brands that are easier to monetize than local culture and badge loyalty.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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