Ballon d’Or approaches and France Football tries to make peace with Real Madrid

The Ballon d’Or ceremony, one of the most anticipated individual award events in world football, is set for September 22.

Organized by the French magazine France Football, the award has long been considered the pinnacle of individual recognition in the sport, honoring the player deemed to have had the best year across club and international competitions. But while the award is meant to celebrate excellence and unite the footballing community, behind the scenes there are tensions, particularly between France Football and Real Madrid.

According to reports from Spanish newspaper Marca, the French publication recently sent a delegation to Madrid with the intention of repairing strained relations with Los Blancos. The move comes after last year’s controversy, which left the Spanish giants feeling disrespected and unfairly treated. France Football, aware of Real Madrid’s influence in world football and the global importance of its players, hoped to restore the goodwill and close ties that historically existed between the magazine and the club.

Yet, those attempts appear to have failed. Real Madrid’s leadership, still smarting from the 2024 Ballon d’Or outcome, remain unconvinced. Their grievance centers on Vinícius Júnior, the Brazilian forward who had an extraordinary season, dazzling fans with his dribbling, goals, and decisive performances in both La Liga and the Champions League. Many within the club, and a large section of the footballing world, believed Vinícius had done more than enough to secure the award. Instead, it was Manchester City midfielder Rodri who walked away with the trophy.

For Madrid, the snub was more than just a matter of sporting debate it was seen as an institutional slight. The club reportedly questioned the criteria used by France Football, arguing that Vinícius had been not only brilliant statistically but also the most decisive player in key matches. Meanwhile, Rodri, though a crucial figure in Manchester City’s treble-winning season and scorer of the Champions League final’s decisive goal, was viewed by many at the Bernabéu as less influential over the entire campaign compared to the Brazilian.

The frustration boiled over in dramatic fashion last year when, upon realizing Vinícius would not win, Real Madrid canceled their official trip to the Ballon d’Or gala at the last minute. The absence of such a high-profile club, especially one with so many shortlisted players, cast a shadow over the ceremony and highlighted the rift between the institution and France Football. For Real Madrid, it was a symbolic gesture that spoke volumes: they felt disrespected and unwilling to lend legitimacy to an award they believed had wronged one of their stars.

France Football’s decision to send emissaries to Madrid this year can be interpreted as damage control. The Ballon d’Or thrives not only on prestige but also on the active participation of the world’s biggest clubs and players. A fractured relationship with Real Madrid—a club that has produced multiple Ballon d’Or winners, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Karim Benzema—would be damaging to the credibility and image of the award. The magazine’s outreach was meant to soothe tensions and ensure that this year’s ceremony would not be overshadowed by similar boycotts or controversies.

But Marca’s reporting suggests the meeting did not achieve its desired effect. Madrid’s hierarchy reportedly remain cold toward France Football, unconvinced by their explanations and still dissatisfied with the handling of last year’s award. The wounds are fresh, and the sense of injustice lingers. Even though Real Madrid are accustomed to seeing their players recognized as the world’s best, the perception that Vinícius was overlooked despite being the standout performer left scars that may take time to heal.

Looking ahead to this year’s ceremony, the situation could again become delicate. If another Real Madrid player possibly Vinícius himself, Jude Bellingham, or another star emerges as a frontrunner but does not win, tensions could escalate further. On the other hand, should a Madrid player lift the trophy, it may help restore some of the trust and enthusiasm that has been lost.

The Ballon d’Or has always been as much about politics, narratives, and perception as about performances on the pitch. The current rift with Real Madrid underlines that reality. For France Football, the stakes are high: they need the presence and cooperation of clubs like Real Madrid to maintain the award’s aura. For Los Blancos, the issue is one of respect and recognition for their players’ achievements.

In the weeks leading up to the September 22 ceremony, much attention will be on whether France Football can rebuild bridges or whether the frostiness will continue. The outcome could shape not only the atmosphere of the gala itself but also the long-term relationship between one of football’s most prestigious awards and one of the game’s most powerful clubs.