In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, Real Madrid officially boycotted the Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony held in Paris, citing “institutional bias” and “lack of respect” towards its players and achievements. The Spanish giants, who enjoyed a stellar 2024–25 season with a La Liga title and UEFA Champions League triumph, were conspicuously absent from the red carpet and gala night, including club president Florentino Pérez, manager Carlo Ancelotti, and all nominated players.
The boycott was confirmed hours before the ceremony began, with Real Madrid releasing a strongly worded statement accusing the organisers—France Football and L’Équipe—of “undermining sporting merit” and “ignoring objective performance metrics.” The decision has sparked intense debate across media platforms, with fans, pundits, and former players weighing in on the implications.
Real Madrid’s Official Statement – Key Allegations
| Allegation | Explanation Provided | Target of Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Bias | Claims of favouritism towards Premier League players | France Football editorial panel |
| Undervaluing Champions League | Lack of recognition for Madrid’s UCL win | Ballon d’Or voting process |
| Player Snubs | Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham overlooked | Final shortlist and rankings |
| Lack of Transparency | Voting criteria not publicly clarified | Ballon d’Or jury and methodology |
At the heart of the controversy lies the omission of Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham from the top three finalists, despite their pivotal roles in Real Madrid’s double-winning campaign. The Ballon d’Or was awarded to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi rounding out the top three—none of whom won the Champions League or La Liga in the 2024–25 season.
Vinícius Jr., who scored 28 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions, was ranked fifth, while Bellingham, widely regarded as the breakout star of the season, finished seventh. Real Madrid insiders reportedly viewed the rankings as “disrespectful and politically motivated.”
Real Madrid Player Stats – 2024–25 Season
| Player Name | Goals | Assists | Key Achievements | Ballon d’Or Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinícius Jr. | 28 | 14 | UCL Final MOTM, La Liga top scorer | 5th |
| Jude Bellingham | 17 | 11 | UCL semi-final hero, La Liga MVP | 7th |
| Thibaut Courtois | — | — | 18 clean sheets, UCL Golden Glove | Not in top 10 |
| Toni Kroos | 6 | 9 | Midfield anchor, retirement season | 12th |
Club president Florentino Pérez reportedly declined a personal invitation to attend the ceremony, and sources close to the club revealed that Real Madrid had requested a review of the voting process weeks before the event—only to be ignored.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti, speaking after Madrid’s weekend win over Girona, said, “We respect individual awards, but when they stop reflecting reality, we must stand by our players. This is not about trophies—it’s about fairness.”
The Ballon d’Or voting panel comprises journalists from 100 countries, who are asked to rank players based on individual performance, team success, and fair play. However, critics argue that media narratives and commercial interests often skew the results.
Ballon d’Or 2025 – Final Rankings Overview
| Rank | Player Name | Club (2024–25) | Major Titles Won | Controversy Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | FA Cup, EPL runner-up | High |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappé | PSG | Ligue 1 | Moderate |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Leagues Cup | High |
| 4 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga top scorer | Low |
| 5 | Vinícius Jr. | Real Madrid | UCL, La Liga | Very High |
| 6 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | FA Cup | Moderate |
| 7 | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | UCL, La Liga | Very High |
The boycott has triggered widespread reactions on social media, with hashtags like #BallonDorBias, #JusticeForVinicius, and #MadridBoycott trending globally. Fans have flooded platforms with comparisons, match highlights, and statistical breakdowns to support Real Madrid’s stance.
Former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić tweeted, “Awards should honour excellence, not narratives. Proud of my club for standing tall.” Meanwhile, pundits like Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand called for reform in the voting process to ensure transparency and meritocracy.
Public Sentiment – Real Madrid Ballon d’Or Boycott
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 2.4M mentions | 81% supportive | #MadridBoycott #BallonDorBias |
| 1.9M interactions | 78% outraged | #JusticeForVinicius #BellinghamSnub | |
| YouTube | 1.6M views | 84% analytical | #BallonDor2025 #MadridReaction |
| 1.3M views | 87% emotional | #MadridPride #AwardControversy |
France Football has yet to issue a formal response, though sources suggest the organisation is “surprised” by the boycott and may initiate dialogue with Real Madrid officials. The incident has also prompted calls for an independent audit of the voting process and a possible restructuring of the award criteria.
As the dust settles, Real Madrid’s bold stance has reignited a long-standing debate: should football’s most prestigious individual award be reformed to reflect performance over popularity? For now, the Ballon d’Or 2025 will be remembered not just for its winner—but for the absence of one of football’s greatest institutions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available club statements, media reports, and verified player statistics. It does not constitute endorsement or criticism of any organisation. All quotes are attributed to public figures and institutions as per coverage. The content is intended for editorial and informational purposes only.
