Josep Pedrerol, host and director of the TV show El Chiringuito, had been endorsing Vinícius Júnior's candidacy as the next Ballon d'Or for months.
But last night he surprised everyone by jumping off Vinícius' boat and jumping on another one's. Now Pedrerol no longer claims that the winner of the next Ballon d'Or should be Vinícius Júnior.
Pedrerol's passionate defense on Vinícius's Ballon d'Or
Just a few weeks ago, Josep Pedrerol showed a passionate defence of Vinícius, demanding the Ballon d'Or and The Best awards for him:
"Let's not talk about who provokes whom. The only victim is Vinícius. The one they are looking for is Vinícius, and he's been enduring it quite well.
"Given what he's been experiencing and what he suffers at times, he deserves the Ballon d'Or; simply because of that.
"This year he deserves it for being a great player, for carrying the team on his back. And also for having won La Liga and the Champions League almost single-handedly.
"He also deserves it for having suffered what he's suffered and adapting to what he's adapted to. And for being who he is.
"For me, Vinícius is undisputed. It would be disappointing to lose him.
🏆 JOSEP PEDREROL PIDE EL BALÓN DE ORO PARA VINICIUS
"And I'm saying this even though I'd said at the time that Mbappé could win it. But It's more than just an award and it should be given to someone who's more than just a footballer.
"He'll make mistakes, just like we all do. And he'll make mistakes even more, as he's in the spotlight, with added pressure and surrounded by others, whether for the better or for the worst...
"I believe Vinícius's winning the Ballon d'Or is a message that goes beyond soccer.
"This year, the Ballon d'Or is not up for debate. Vinícius deserves it, the same way he deserves The Best award.
"Though it may be debatable whether he did better during the first stage of the season, as I think Bellingham did, or whether we think Mbappé is the best in the world.
"I think Vinícius deserves the Ballon d'Or for many reasons, the same regarding The Best.
"He deserves it despite his mistake the other day about the 2030 World Cup. He makes lots of mistakes.
"But when you go through what Vinícius has gone through, you know he undoubtedly deserves the Ballon d'Or and The Best."
Now Vinícius No Longer Deserves it
That was how he'd explained himself until just a few days ago. But last night Josep Pedrerol changed his speech.
The winner of the Ballon d'Or should no longer be Vinícius. In his opinion, Dani Carvajal now deserves it more.
"I, who have been very much in favor of Vinicius winning the Ballon d'Or, am now changing my mind.
I would love to see Carvajal, although injured, lifting the Ballon d'Or. I have changed: Carvajal, Ballon d'Or."
Josep Pedrerol imitates Groucho Marx when he said: "These are my principles, but if you don't like them, I have others to offer."