Real Madrid TV takes Ballon d’Or swipe at Barcelona after El Clasico victory

Real Madrid used the Ballon d’Or ceremony to underline their recent El Clasico win over Barcelona, while also making a pointed reference to Kylian Mbappe’s failure to claim the 2026 award.

The Spanish club defeated Barcelona 2-1 in La Liga on Sunday in the 10th round of the season. As the awards ceremony took place in London on Monday, Real Madrid TV interrupted its usual schedule to broadcast a special edition of Real Madrid Conecta, dedicated to the latest honours and the announcement of the Ballon d’Or winner, according to Foot Mercato.

The programme’s commentators took the opportunity to question the accuracy of information that had circulated before the ceremony. They referred to predictions and alleged leaks that had failed to correctly identify the winners.

“Complete lists were leaked, but they left out the names of the winners. The names of winners who were not actually the winners were also leaked. It seems that some people are openly falsifying information,” they said.

They then added sarcastically: “Isn’t it strange that the ceremony is being held in London for the first time?”

Attention later turned to the announcement of the player who would succeed Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.

Real Madrid’s hopes were focused on Mbappe, who finished second in the voting. However, it was England captain Harry Kane who ultimately collected the award.

Real Madrid TV congratulated Kane before ending its coverage with a direct reminder of 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 line brought the El Clasico back into the centre of the evening, while delivering an indirect taunt aimed at Barcelona after Mbappe had missed out on the individual prize.

The fixture information accompanying the coverage listed Barcelona in La Liga on 31 October 2026, followed by the La Liga meeting between Deportivo Alaves and Racing Santander on 1 November 2026, and Real Madrid.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony therefore provided Real Madrid with another opportunity to highlight a successful weekend: their victory over Barcelona and the disappointment of seeing their leading candidate, Mbappe, finish behind Kane in the 2026 award.