Real Madrid use Ballon d’Or ceremony to remind Barcelona of El Clasico victory

Real Madrid made sure their 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona remained part of the conversation during Monday’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

As the awards event was taking place, Real Madrid TV interrupted its regular schedule to broadcast a special edition of Real Madrid Conecta, dedicated to the latest honours and the announcement of the winner, according to Foot Mercato.

The programme’s commentators used the occasion to question the accuracy of information published before the ceremony. Several predictions and alleged leaks had circulated ahead of the event, but they proved unreliable.

“Complete lists were leaked, leaving out the names of the winners, while the names of players who did not actually win were also leaked,” the commentators said. “It seems that some people are committing outright forgery.”

They also made a pointed remark about the ceremony’s location, asking: “Isn’t it strange that the ceremony is being held in London for the first time?”

The tone became more pointed when the time came to announce the player who would succeed Ousmane Dembele, the Paris Saint-Germain forward who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Real Madrid had hoped their forward Kylian Mbappe, who finished second in the voting, would claim the award. However, it was Harry Kane who ultimately received the prize.

Real Madrid TV congratulated the England player before ending its coverage with a direct reference to the club’s victory in Catalonia.

“Real Madrid won in Barcelona, and Harry Kane is the Ballon d’Or winner. See you tomorrow, goodbye,” the channel said.

The closing message brought the previous weekend’s El Clasico back into focus, while also offering a subtle jibe at Barcelona at the end of an evening in which Real Madrid’s leading player missed out on the individual award.

Real Madrid’s victory came in the 10th round of La Liga on the previous Sunday, with Barcelona beaten 2-1. The result was therefore highlighted by the club while attention was centred on the Ballon d’Or ceremony and the outcome of the award voting.

Barcelona are listed for a La Liga fixture on 31 October 2026, while Deportivo Alaves and Racing Santander are also listed in the same competition. Real Madrid are listed for a La Liga match on 1 November 2026.