Real Madrid set to snub Ballon d'Or again over Paris dispute
Ballon d’Or 2025 (photo: Getty Images)
In less than a week, the football world will learn the name of the new Ballon d'Or winner. However, instead of a festive atmosphere in Paris, a scandal involving Real Madrid has unfolded, with key figures from the club still missing out on deserved awards, reports Marca.
Ceremony dates and format
The 2025 Ballon d'Or gala will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This year's event is scheduled a month earlier than previous editions, which were usually held at the end of October.
For the first time, awards previously given only to men will also be presented to women, including best goalkeeper, best young player, and top scorer in women's football.
Nominees and suspense
The names of the candidates will be revealed in the first half of August, after the conclusion of the Club World Cup and the Final Four of the Nations League.
No Real Madrid player is among the favorites, which has intensified the situation. In Madrid, they believe the club's contributions on the international stage are consistently underestimated.
This year, there is no clear favorite, making the edition the most open and unpredictable in recent times. Possible contenders include Lamin Yamal, Rafinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Lautaro Martínez, Harry Kane, Pedri, Lewandowski, and Kylian Mbappé.
Voting mechanism and criteria
The men's award jury consists of 100 journalists, while 50 journalists vote for the women's Ballon d'Or.
Each juror selects their top 10 players, with points assigned based on placement. The player with the highest total points wins the Ballon d'Or.
In 2025, three hierarchical criteria are considered: individual performance, team achievements, and sportsmanship. The criterion related to professional career longevity was removed in 2024.
Real Madrid and last year's boycott
The participation of Real Madrid representatives at this year's Ballon d'Or has been highly uncertain.
After deliberately ignoring last year's event, tensions between Real and the organizers have only grown.
Even a brilliant season from Vinícius Júnior last year did not secure him a spot in the main race for the Ballon d'Or, causing outrage in Madrid. No club representatives attended the ceremony, and Carlo Ancelotti, recognized as the best coach, missed out on a trophy.
"The dispute is ongoing," Marca notes.
France Football officials held several meetings with Real Madrid management, but no agreement was reached. Tensions are heightened by UEFA's role as co-organizer, given the club's strained relations with European football elites.
For reference, the 2024 Ballon d'Or was won by Spaniard Rodri.
Earlier, we reported that Ukrainian midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk could move to Manchester United.
