Barcelona duo Pedri and Lewandowski to skip Ballon dOr ceremony

Barcelona stars Pedri and Robert Lewandowski, along with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, will not attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. Despite scoring 42 goals last season and helping Barcelona secure three titles, Lewandowski and Pedri do not see themselves as favorites. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and several Barcelona women’s players remain strong contenders.

After the announcement of the Ballon d'Or 2025 nominees, Barcelona stars Pedri and Robert Lewandowski have decided to skip the Paris ceremony, joining Real Madrid players including Kylian Mbappe, who also confirmed his absence. Despite being nominated for the Golden Ball, both Pedri and Lewandowski reportedly do not view themselves as strong contenders. According to reports, Pedri has chosen to prioritise rest and fitness amid Barcelona’s demanding schedule, while Lewandowski is also opting out despite finishing as the Catalan club’s top scorer last season with an impressive 42 goals across competitions.

The duo were instrumental in Barcelona’s three-trophy success under Hansi Flick, including the La Liga triumph, but will not attend the event where young sensation Lamine Yamal and Brazilian forward Raphinha remain in contention alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele. Flick himself is shortlisted for the best coach award after a stellar debut season with Barca.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s women’s side is strongly represented in the Ballon d'Or Feminin category, with several stars nominated including Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Vicky Lopez, and Cata Coll. With both Barcelona and Real Madrid players opting out, the Paris ceremony may miss some of the game’s biggest names this year.