Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham will not attend Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony in London

Real Madrid forwards Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham will not attend the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre on October 26, 2026, the club confirmed, despite Real Madrid lifting its previous boycott of the event.

Real Madrid enter the Ballon d’Or men’s category with four nominations — Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Marc Cucurella — and had reversed an earlier decision to boycott the awards. The club withdrew its delegation in 2024 after learning Vinícius Júnior would not win, a prize that year went to Rodri, and Madrid also skipped the following ceremony. Reports say relations with the organisers have since improved, leading to the club’s decision to return for this year’s presentation.

Spanish publication AS reported that both Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham have elected to remain in Madrid rather than travel to London for the October 26 ceremony. The report adds that neither player will travel with Real Madrid’s delegation. The reasons for their absence have not been made public.

Real Madrid’s delegation in London includes nominees and club representatives already in attendance; players such as Kylian Mbappé and Marc Cucurella are with the club in the city. Emilio Butragueño is reported to head Real Madrid’s delegation. Yan Diomande and women’s football candidate Felicia Schröder are also likely to attend, according to the same reporting.

The club’s decision to return to the ceremony notwithstanding, the absences of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham mean Real Madrid will not be represented by all four of its nominated male players on stage. The non-attendance of either player does not alter their eligibility for awards.

The ultimate standing of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham will be revealed only after the publication of the official results. Those official results will determine the final placements for the Ballon d’Or 2026.