Hansi Flick and Pau Cubarsi to miss Ballon d’Or ceremony after El Clasico loss

Hansi Flick will not travel to attend the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony after Barcelona’s defeat by Real Madrid in El Clasico.

The Barcelona head coach’s decision comes alongside the absence of young defender Pau Cubarsi, who has chosen to remain at home to rest following an intensive period with both his club and the Spain national team.

According to the Spanish radio programme Que T’hi Jugues on Cadena SER, the result against Real Madrid disrupted Barcelona’s plans for the awards event. Flick subsequently decided against making the journey, while Cubarsi also opted to stay away from the ceremony to concentrate on his physical recovery.

Cubarsi had been regarded as one of the leading candidates for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player.

Barcelona will nevertheless have several representatives at the ceremony. Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Olmo and Juan Garcia are among those preparing to travel, together with the club’s officials and executive leaders.

Yamal is expected to make the journey separately on a private plane, accompanied by members of his family and friends.

The defender’s decision to miss the event comes as attention focuses on the possibility of Yamal winning the Kopa Trophy for a second successive time. He has already claimed the award in the previous two editions and is now in contention to add another achievement to his career despite his young age.

The Barcelona forward also has the opportunity to create a notable piece of history by winning both the Kopa Trophy and the Ballon d’Or in the same year. However, the race for the main award remains open, with the identity of the winner still eagerly awaited.

The fixture information accompanying the report lists Barcelona in La Liga against Deportivo Alaves on 31 October 2026. It also lists Racing Santander against Real Madrid in La Liga on 1 November 2026.