again?! real Madrid boycotts Ballon d’Or for second year in a row… Mbappe won’t be there either

the world’s best players gathered in Paris for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, but there was no sign of ‘Galactico’. kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Judd Bellingham, and other key Real Madrid players boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the second year in a row. we take a closer look at the conflict between the world’s top club and the most prestigious award, its background and ramifications.

the background to the boycott: a deepening conflict with “French football

real Madrid’s decision to boycott the awards was not a sudden one. The conflict dates back to 2024, when the club publicly expressed its displeasure with the organizers, France Football, and boycotted the ceremony after its frontrunner, Vinicius Junior, failed to win the award. the club stated that they “do not go where they are not respected”, raising questions about the fairness of the award.

this year, despite Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius being among the 30 finalists, Real Madrid stuck to their guns and boycotted for the second year in a row. This was more than just a protest, it was a sign that their relationship with France Football had deteriorated beyond repair.

the club’s official position and future ramifications

when asked whether he would attend the ceremony, Xabi Alonso said that “every game is important” and that he would focus on the league rather than the ceremony. the club didn’t offer any official explanation for their absence either, sidestepping the uncomfortable relationship.

the boycott for the second year in a row by Real Madrid, one of the world’s top clubs, is more than just an oversight; it could be seen as a challenge to the Ballon d’Or’s authority. it will be interesting to see how this conflict will affect other clubs and players, and how it will affect the image of Real Madrid and its players individually – especially Mbappe himself, who is arguably the most likely future Ballon d’Or winner.