Real Madrid is ending a two-year boycott of the Ballon d’Or gala, sending a delegation to tonight’s ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre. The move follows intense speculation regarding Kylian Mbappé’s candidacy for the award, marking a return to institutional normalcy for the club after years of strained relations with the organizers.
A Delegation Returns to the Ballon d’Or
The Real Madrid return to the gala signals a shift for the club, which had been largely absent or limited in its representation since 2024. That year, the organization canceled its planned trip to Paris at the last minute after learning that Vinícius Júnior would not receive the trophy. The award went to Rodri, triggering a period of public friction between the club and the event organizers, France Football and L’Équipe. Real Madrid had accused the organizations of being responsible for the 2024 outcome, leading to a unilateral decision to stop participating in the awards.
The distance continued into 2025, where institutional reaction to the nominees was non-existent and club presence was very limited; according to L’Équipe, Caroline Weir was the only representative who attended that edition. This evening’s attendance in London includes a five-person delegation, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Emilio Butragueño, the director of institutional relations, will lead the group. While there was earlier speculation that club president Florentino Pérez might attend, he will not be present.
Mbappé y el Balón de Oro: "Vamos, vamos, vamos" 🗣️#ELCLÁSICOenDAZN #ballondor pic.twitter.com/BaZez0D2GD
The delegation is scheduled to stay at the Marriott Hotel in London before heading to the theater.
Kylian Mbappé and the London Ceremony
Mbappé arrives at the London Palladium with significant momentum in betting markets. Recent data from Betfair indicates that his odds of winning have risen by approximately 408% over the last week, moving from 4.35% to 22.09%. This current figure is his highest of 2026, surpassing the 19.37% he recorded on July 10 during the World Cup and more than doubling his annual average of 9.38%.
His candidacy is bolstered by individual records, specifically in the World Cup where he became the highest historical scorer of the championship, as well as leading LaLiga with 25 goals and the Champions League with 15. However, some analysts note that he did not win any titles with the French national team or Real Madrid, whereas rivals Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane did. Kane remains the favorite with a 49.10% probability, maintaining a yearly average of 25.7% based on his success in the Bundesliga and the German Cup.
The anticipation surrounding Mbappé was amplified by a post-match conversation following the recent Clásico. Television cameras captured Mbappé speaking with humorist Redouane Bougheraba, who told the player. Mbappé responded with a laugh, stating, Vamos, vamos, vamos
, as reported by Elnacional.
A Packed Calendar Following the Clásico
The club’s return to the event comes immediately after a high-stakes weekend. The gala takes place just one day after the Clásico against Barcelona, placing the team in the center of two major footballing events within 48 hours.
| Candidate | Betfair Probability (Oct 26) |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 49.10% |
| Kylian Mbappé | 22.09% |
| Lamine Yamal | 12.05% |
Though the club has signaled a return to participation, the absence of Vinícius Júnior suggests that the tension from the 2024 ceremony has not fully dissipated. For now, the focus shifts to the London Palladium, where the final results will be announced at 9:00 p.m.
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