@harrymadridPascal Ferré, who used to run the Ballon d'Or, gave an account of an agent trying to sway him on the award. The meeting request came because the agent's client had a nomination. Once the case for why that player merited it was laid out, the ask flipped: could Ferré sell the candidacy to the jury. His answer was a clear no. A call pulled him away from the table briefly. On his return the agent had already left, though an envelope stayed behind. That envelope got taken and dropped off at reception. What was in it, Ferré says he has no idea.

@harrymadridPascal Ferré, who used to run the Ballon d'Or, gave an account of an agent trying to sway him on the award. The meeting request came because the agent's client had a nomination. Once the case for why that player merited it was laid out, the ask flipped: could Ferré sell the candidacy to the jury. His answer was a clear no. A call pulled him away from the table briefly. On his return the agent had already left, though an envelope stayed behind. That envelope got taken and dropped off at reception. What was in it, Ferré says he has no idea.