A Conflict That Won’t Die Down

Tensions between Real Madrid and the Ballon d’Or organizers are more alive than ever. What began in 2023 as a protest after Vinicius Jr. failed to win the award has turned into an open standoff that looks set to repeat itself this year.

The club felt disrespected when, after winning the Champions League, no Madrid player was crowned. For the board, Vinicius was the rightful favorite and, failing that, Dani Carvajal had done more than enough compared to the eventual winner, Rodri of Manchester City. In response, the club decided not to attend the gala, sending a direct message of discontent to UEFA and the organizers.

Three Nominees, Zero Recognition

Far from easing tensions, the standoff continues. According to Marca, France Football attempted to mend fences by traveling to Madrid to meet with the club, but talks were unsuccessful.

The contrast is striking: Real Madrid has three Ballon d’Or nominees in the men’s category —Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham— as well as Caroline Weir among the women. For the youth awards, Huijsen and Linda Caicedo are nominated for the Kopa Trophy, while Thibaut Courtois is in contention for the Yashin Trophy as best goalkeeper.

Yet, the club has not mentioned these nominations on any of its official platforms, a clear sign that relations remain broken.

Will Madrid Be Absent in Paris?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or gala will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, but all indications are that Real Madrid will once again be absent. Although there is no official confirmation, it seems highly unlikely that any representative of the club will attend the ceremony.

Beyond the sporting implications, the clash highlights an institutional rift that could mark a turning point in the relationship between Europe’s most decorated club and one of football’s most prestigious awards.