Real Madrid Ends Boycott, Will Attend Ballon d'Or 2026 Ceremony But Florentino Pérez Will Not

Real Madrid is reportedly set to end its two-year boycott and attend the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony. However, Florentino Pérez, the most powerful person on Real Madrid's board, will not be present, according to the report. The incident reflects the complex landscape of club-versus-award politics in European football. After Vinícius Júnior narrowly lost to Rodri in the 2026 Ballon d'Or vote, Real Madrid was deeply upset and decided to boycott the ceremony. The club has stayed away for two consecutive years. The report states that Vinícius received 1,129 points while Rodri received 1,170 points, meaning the result was decided by a margin of just 41 points. These figures serve to make the grievance behind the boycott legible and proportionate. Multiple representatives from Real Madrid are expected to attend the 2026 ceremony. Among them is club ambassador Emilio Butragueño. Coaches and players are also said to be attending. However, the absence of club president Florentino Pérez has become the most discussed topic. The report does not specify any reason for his absence. This omission leaves readers with many unanswered questions. A major weakness of the report is the absence of any reliable sources. No sources are cited for any information. Even the point tallies for Vinícius and Rodri are of unclear origin. Only the opinions about Kylian Mbappé are attributed to the article author. This is an inversion of good journalistic practice. The report identifies Mbappé as a top contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, comparing him with Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. This opinion shifts the article's focus away from the main discussion in its final section. Overall, this report is informative but lacks deep analysis. The biggest gap is the failure to explain Florentino Pérez's absence. Whether this is deliberate ambiguity or a lack of information is difficult to determine. But the effect is the same: the reader is left to complete the gap themselves. This partial return by Real Madrid signals a shift in the club's position. Players will attend but the president will not. This is a cautious step. The club may be signaling that it is not yet fully satisfied. At the same time, Mbappé's emergence as a top contender has created a strategic reason for the club to be present at the ceremony. In football media, the presence or absence of a club president is often read as club policy. This report reinforces that notion. Pérez's absence is therefore seen as a symbol of the club's stance. All in all, this news item gives readers a sense of the boycott's history and future situation but does not answer many questions. It functions as a service-news report but does not illuminate deeply.