Real Madrid Set To Snub Ballon d’Or Ceremony Again

Real Madrid is preparing to boycott the Ballon d’Or gala for the second consecutive year, deepening the rift between the club and the organisers of football’s most coveted individual award.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony returns to the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris from 7 p.m. (Nigerian time) tonight, but, according to AS, Madrid’s hierarchy has decided to stay away once more.

The wounds from last year’s fallout, when the club staged a dramatic no-show, have yet to heal.

In 2024, Madrid stunned fans and officials alike by refusing to attend the event after learning that Manchester City midfielder Rodri would be crowned ahead of Vinicius Jr.

Their absence forced organisers to scramble, removing nameplates for Vinicius and Jude Bellingham and reassigning empty seats. The club also declined to pick up the Best Men’s Club prize.

At the time, Madrid issued a scathing statement: “If the award criteria don’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”

Former coach Carlo Ancelotti still won Coach of the Year but delivered his acceptance speech by video link, highlighting the depth of the standoff. Vinicius, frustrated but defiant, later posted on social media: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”

Fast forward a year, and the boycott continues. Florentino Perez and senior officials are staying away, though the club has allowed its nominees to attend if they wish.

However, scheduling is working against them. With Xabi Alonso’s side facing Levante in LaLiga on Tuesday, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe are expected to miss the event. Caroline Weir, shortlisted on the women’s side, is more likely to appear.

Dean Huijsen, Thibaut Courtois, and Linda Caicedo are also in contention for prizes but are understood to be aligning with the boycott.

This year, attention has shifted to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, the bookmakers’ favourite after a remarkable season in which he delivered 43 goal contributions and inspired PSG to a historic treble that included their first Champions League crown.

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah are also regarded as leading contenders, while Napoli’s Scott McTominay is among the surprise inclusions.

Mbappe, who is also nominated, has openly thrown his support behind Dembele.

“I’d deliver it to his house if it were up to me,” the Frenchman joked.