Real Madrid may be preparing to snub the Ballon d’Or gala once again, as tensions with France Football remain unresolved.
According to reports in Spain, Los Blancos are unlikely to attend the 2025 ceremony in Paris on September 22, marking a second consecutive boycott of football’s most prestigious individual awards night.
Last year’s decision shocked the football world when Madrid players and staff skipped the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony after Vinicius Junior missed out on the men’s award.
Their absence was felt throughout the evening, with Carlo Ancelotti unable to accept the Johan Cruyff Trophy, Real Madrid leaving the Men’s Club of the Year award uncollected, and even new signing Kylian Mbappe absent despite winning the Gerd Müller Trophy alongside Harry Kane.
This year, none of Real Madrid’s stars are favorites to lift the men’s Ballon d’Or, but the club still boasts strong representation. Vinicius, Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham are all nominated, while Thibaut Courtois is in the running for the Yashin Trophy and Dean Huijsen has been shortlisted for the Kopa Trophy.
According to MARCA, France Football attempted to repair relations by sending a delegate to Madrid in recent weeks. However, talks reportedly failed to produce an agreement, leaving Real Madrid’s boycott threat looming large once again.
If the Spanish giants stay away from Paris, some of the sport’s biggest names could once more be missing from the Théâtre du Châtelet, raising questions about the future relationship between the world’s most decorated club and football’s most iconic individual prize.
