Mbappé Confirms Absence from 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony

French star Kylian Mbappé, striker for Real Madrid, has confirmed that he will not attend the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris next Monday. 

Instead, he stressed that his full focus remains on helping his club achieve collective success.

Speaking to CBS Sports after Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Olympique Marseille, Mbappé explained that to win the Ballon d’Or, you must first win titles. He added that if he wins, that's great, and if it's not, he will keep working hard for his team.

Mbappé also voiced his support for compatriot Ousmane Dembélé, who is considered the frontrunner this year following an extraordinary season with Paris Saint-Germain, winning four major trophies, including the Champions League.

The Real Madrid star continued that he would be happy if Dembélé wins as he’s his friend, and he has supported him from the start.

His decision follows Real Madrid’s boycott of last year’s ceremony after Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior missed out on the award, which ultimately went to Manchester City’s Rodri.