Barcelona star reveals shock call to miss Ballon d'Or ceremony

Feargal Brennan

Barcelona star reveals shock call to miss Ballon d'Or ceremony image

Barcelona and PSG will battle it out at the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Hansi Flick and Luis Enrique both enjoyed dominant 2024/25 seasons as the former won a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup treble in his debut year in Catalonia.

Ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique went one better with a quadruple in Paris including the French side's first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy.

Four Barcelona players were included in the 30-man shortlist alongside nine from PSG with Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele expected to battle it out for the main prize.

The 2024 ceremony was hit by controversy after Real Madrid triggered a last minute boycott over their anger at Vinicius Junior losing out to Manchester City star Rodri Hernandez.

Vinicius has been named on the 2025 shortlist, alongside Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, but the trophy looks certain to be heading to Catalonia or staying in Paris.

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The chaos of last year not be mirrored in Paris on September 22 but one Barcelona nominee will not attend.

As per reports from Mundo Deportivo, Spain international Pedri has opted against flying to Paris.

Pedri Raphinha FC Barcelona 05142025

(getty)

The Canarian is known for his dislike of the limelight, and the 22-year-old is prioritising rest and recovery, ahead of a busy schedule for club and country in the weeks ahead.

Pedri has started all five of Barcelona's five games so far this season - completing 90 minutes in four - plus two starts for Spain.

His call is focused on five games before the October international break, including a UCL clash with PSG, followed by a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier double-header as Spain host Georgia and Bulgaria next month.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.