Bono Reveals Reason for Missing Ballon d'Or Ceremony (Video)

The Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bono, who plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, confirmed that participating in his team's match against Al Hazm yesterday in the Round of 16 of the King's Cup was more important than attending the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Bono stated in television comments after Al Hilal's 3-0 victory over Al Hazm: "We faced a tough and organized team that posed danger on counter-attacks, but with my fellow defenders, we managed to limit their threat." He added: "The team's performance improved in the second half; we scored three goals that helped us to win and advance in the King's Cup." Bono praised his defensive teammates, especially Ali Al-Bulaihi, whom he described as "having strength, fighting spirit, and the desire to give his best." Regarding his absence from the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony held yesterday in Paris at the same time as the Al Hilal and Al Hazm match, the Moroccan goalkeeper confirmed that he did not know the position he ranked in the prestigious award before it was officially announced yesterday, emphasizing that "playing the match with Al Hilal is more important than attending the ceremony."