Real Madrid will attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the first time in three years on Monday evening, ending a boycott that began after Vinicius Junior finished second in 2023.
The Spanish club is sending players and staff, including Kylian Mbappe, to the London Palladium, where the world’s best male and female footballers will be honoured. The ceremony begins at 8pm GMT.
Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Mbappe are among the leading contenders for the men’s award, won last year by Ousmane Dembele. In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati’s injury-hit season has opened the door for a new winner after her three consecutive victories.
Real Madrid’s decision follows a rapprochement with UEFA after the end of the European Super League project. The club boycotted the 2023, 2024 and 2025 ceremonies after learning Rodri would win the 2023 award ahead of Vinicius Junior. Club sources at the time argued that Vinicius or Dani Carvajal should have been chosen under the award’s criteria and accused organisers of being too closely aligned with UEFA.
Club president Florentino Perez will not attend. Emilio Butragueño, director of institutional relations, will represent the club alongside nominees including Marc Cucurella. Yan Diomande and Felicia Schroder are also nominated for the Kopa Trophy for the best young male and female players.
Barcelona are also sending a strong contingent. Yamal travelled after El Clasico and is widely expected to win the Kopa Award for a second successive year.
Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb backed Kane’s candidacy. “I think now it’s easy to say this, but his talent was undeniable,” Bentaleb said. “He was a natural born killer in front of goal. He’s a kid from Tottenham… I would be proud of him if he gets this Ballon d’Or. And I think he has a good chance.”
The ceremony will be broadcast on DAZN.
