Real Madrid TV draws attention after ending Ballon d’Or coverage following Harry Kane win

Real Madrid TV has sparked debate after stopping its live coverage of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony as soon as it became clear that Harry Kane had won the award ahead of Kylian Mbappe.

The ceremony took place on Monday evening at the London Palladium. The channel ended its broadcast shortly after Kane, the Bayern Munich striker, was announced as the winner, rather than continuing its coverage of the event.

Spanish newspaper Sport reported that Real Madrid TV cut away quickly despite a message appearing on screen saying the content was unavailable because of audiovisual rights. The timing of the interruption prompted questions about why the coverage ended immediately after the result was confirmed.

Kane was rewarded after an outstanding season in which he scored 73 goals in 65 matches. Of those goals, 61 came for Bayern Munich, helping him finish ahead of his rivals and claim the most prominent individual prize in football.

Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, finished second in the voting. Spain and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal also occupied a high position in the standings after winning the Best Young Player award for the third consecutive time.

Some observers had believed Mbappe could win the Ballon d’Or, although his potential victory had been the subject of debate. Those questioning his credentials pointed to the fact that he had not won a team trophy during the previous season, while his goal tally was not the highest among the leading contenders.

The reaction to Real Madrid TV’s decision has also been viewed in the context of the channel’s wider role within the club. It is one of the main platforms through which Real Madrid communicates its positions and responds to events connected with the team.

In recent times, the channel has also been associated with video segments criticising refereeing performances. Those programmes have drawn objections from other clubs, which considered them a way of putting pressure on referees before matches.

Real Madrid has not been punished over those broadcasts. The decision to halt the Ballon d’Or coverage following Kane’s announcement has nevertheless attracted renewed attention to the channel and the way it reflects the club’s stance.