Alonso's Comments on the Ballon d'Or
During a routine press conference, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was asked why the club didn’t attend the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala. Instead of offering a diplomatic answer, he cut straight to the chase: the award isn’t his business. "I’m not on the jury, I don’t vote," he said, adding that he prefers to watch football on the pitch, not at a ceremony.
When reporters pressed for his opinion on who might take home the trophy, Alonso shrugged it off. "We’ll see after the gala who is the galardonnado," he joked, but quickly returned to his main point – the focus should stay on the team’s immediate challenges. His tone was calm, almost indifferent, which many interpreted as a deliberate move to keep the spotlight on collective performance rather than individual accolades.
Alonso’s stance isn’t just a personal quirk. It mirrors a broader trend among top coaches who treat award hype as a distraction. By refusing to weigh in, he avoids fueling media speculation that could unsettle his squad. It also sends a clear message to the players: their work is judged on the field, not by a voting panel in Paris.
What It Means for Real Madrid’s Upcoming Fixtures
The coach didn’t stop at the Ballon d'Or. He pivoted to talk about the next match on the calendar – a crucial game against Levante. "I’m thinking more about Levante," Alonso remarked, underscoring that preparation for that fixture outweighs any fanfare surrounding awards.
Real Madrid’s schedule is packed. After the Levante clash, they face a string of league opponents and a looming Champions League knockout round. In Alonso’s view, every training session, tactical tweak, and player rotation matters far more than a night of glitter and speeches.
Players have taken his words in stride. Midfielder Luka Modrić, when asked about the Ballon d'Or, laughed and said the team’s chemistry is the real prize. Forward Karim Benzema echoed the sentiment, noting that personal awards are nice but don’t replace a winning streak.
Analysts are already linking Alonso’s pragmatic approach to Real Madrid’s recent form. Since taking over, he’s emphasized a “match‑by‑match” philosophy, refusing to get sidetracked by external narratives. This mindset appears to be paying off: the club sits near the top of La Liga, and the squad’s morale seems high.
Critics argue that skipping the ceremony might alienate fans who love the glamour of football’s biggest night. However, Alonso’s reply suggests he’s more interested in long‑term success than short‑term buzz. By staying grounded, he hopes to keep the team focused on the grind that actually decides titles.
In short, the Ballon d'Or may have its own drama, but for Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid, the real story is happening on the training ground and on the pitch, especially as they gear up for Levante and the challenges that follow.
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pragya bharti
September 24, 2025 AT 20:34Alonso's no‑nonsense attitude reminds me of a Zen master who'd rather plant seeds than chase fireworks. He basically said the Ballon d'Or is a distraction and that’s a pretty solid point for a team that wants to stay grounded. It feels like he’s teaching us to value the grind over the glitter, which is refreshing. In a world obsessed with awards, that’s a rare dose of humility.
ARPITA DAS
September 25, 2025 AT 03:30Ah, the grand theatre of football – the Ballon d'Or, that glittering mirage that the masses worship as if it were a religious relic! Yet here we have Xabi Alonso, the stoic sage, who dismisses it with the elegance of a philosopher king, declaring, "I'm not on the jury, I don't vote," as though he were proclaiming his innocence in a grand conspiracy of media manipulation.
One could argue that the ceremony is nothing but a carefully orchestrated spectacle designed by the elite to keep us all fixated on individual glory, while the true power dynamics remain hidden in boardrooms and behind closed doors.
Maybe the real "galardonnado" is the network of sponsors and broadcasters who profit from the hype, feeding the cult of celebrity while the players themselves become mere pawns.
Alonso, by refusing to play into that narrative, subtly exposes the underbelly of football's glamorous façade, suggesting that the real prize lies in collective triumph, not in a shiny trophy.
It's almost as if he's hinting at a deeper truth: that the sport's essence is being eroded by commercialism and that we, the faithful fans, are being fed a diet of spectacle over substance.
One could imagine whispers of secret societies, the "Order of the Golden Ball," pulling strings behind the scenes, ensuring that the award remains a tool of control.
And yet, Alonso's calm indifference could be a masterstroke, a way to deflect the inevitable speculation and keep his squad focused on the grind, the only arena where true merit can be measured.
He says, "I’m thinking more about Levante," and in doing so, he redirects the narrative from the hollow glitz to the tangible battle on the pitch.
Perhaps this is a call to all of us to detach from the glitter of accolades and re‑engage with the raw, authentic love of the game.
In an era where every tweet, meme, and highlight reel competes for attention, his stance is a quiet rebellion, a reminder that football is first and foremost a sport, not a pageant.
So let us, the true custodians of the beautiful game, heed his words, and focus on the realities of training, tactics, and teamwork – the real alchemy that creates champions.
And maybe, just maybe, the next Ballon d'Or ceremony will be a footnote, not a headline, in the story of football's enduring legacy.
Sung Ho Paik
September 25, 2025 AT 10:27Alonso's take is a breath of fresh air! 🌬️ He’s basically saying, "let's keep our heads in the game, not on a red‑carpet." It’s the kind of focus that turns good teams into great ones. Plus, the lad’s got a sense of humor – "galardonnado" had me cracking up.
Sanjay Kumar
September 25, 2025 AT 17:24i dont see why any coach would waste time on glittery stuff its just a marketing stunt the fans get sucked into by media hype
Veena Baliga
September 26, 2025 AT 00:20From a patriotic perspective, it is commendable that Coach Alonso chooses to prioritize the collective over individual accolades, as this reflects a disciplined approach that aligns with the values of national pride and unity. By focusing on Levante, he demonstrates a strategic mindset reminiscent of our own historic dedication to perseverance on the field.
vishal Hoc
September 26, 2025 AT 07:17Alonso is just being practical. He wants the team to win, not chase a trophy that’s given away in Paris. Simple as that – keep training, stay focused, and the results will speak for themselves.
vicky fachrudin
September 26, 2025 AT 14:14It is fascinating, really, how a manager can so deftly redirect the narrative; by dismissing the Ballon d'Or, he not only sidesteps the media circus, but also reinforces a culture of collective ambition, of unity, of shared purpose; this approach, when examined through the lens of team dynamics, underscores the importance of focusing on tangible objectives, such as the upcoming Levante fixture, rather than chasing abstract accolades that serve merely as glittering distractions.
subhashree mohapatra
September 26, 2025 AT 21:10Honestly, Alonso’s stance is just a safe excuse to avoid criticism. He’s trying to look humble while the club’s commercial partners lose out on massive exposure. It’s a calculated PR move, not pure football sense.
Mansi Bansal
September 27, 2025 AT 04:07Alonso’s focus on Levante is smart – the team needs solid basics before they chase glitz. I think a lot of fans get distracted about staytus awards but the reality is daily training. The best way to handle all of this is to keep eye on next match, not on who gets a shiny statue after the season.
ajay kumar
September 27, 2025 AT 11:04real madrid cant miss levante if they keep their head on the game its all about keep grind and not look at shiny trophy
Sampada Pimpalgaonkar
September 27, 2025 AT 18:00Totally agree with the focus on the match. It’s refreshing when coaches remind us that football is about teamwork and effort, not just individual hype. Let’s keep the conversation on the pitch!
Chinmay Bhoot
September 28, 2025 AT 00:57Alonso’s dismissal of the Ballon d'Or might sound noble, but let’s peel back the layers and see what’s really happening. First, the award ceremony is a massive revenue generator, and by skipping it, Real Madrid is essentially turning its back on a lucrative partnership. Second, the media thrives on drama; by staying silent, Alonso is feeding that very appetite, creating a vacuum that fuels speculation and keeps the brand alive. Third, players themselves crave recognition; ignoring the award might demotivate some who see it as a personal benchmark. Fourth, the club’s global fanbase, especially in markets like Asia and the Americas, looks to such events for a connection point – this omission could erode that bond. Fifth, the tactical focus on Levante is valid, but it’s not an exclusive excuse – every top club balances media obligations with on‑field preparation. Sixth, there’s a risk that this stance sets a precedent, making other clubs consider skipping such events, which could destabilize the entire ecosystem surrounding awards. Seventh, the narrative of “collective over individual” is idealistic; football is inherently a balance of both. Eighth, it’s possible that internal politics within the club pressure Alonso to keep the spotlight on the team rather than personal ambitions. Ninth, sponsors might interpret this as a lack of commitment to their marketing strategies, potentially affecting future deals. Tenth, the players’ agreements often include clauses about award participation, adding another layer of contractual complexity. Eleventh, the media can reinterpret silence as arrogance, which may affect the club’s public image. Twelfth, opponents could use this perceived indifference to psych themselves up, claiming Real is complacent. Thirteenth, historical data shows that clubs engaged in award ceremonies often see a boost in merchandise sales. Fourteenth, the club’s youth academy, which looks up to these accolades as aspirational goals, might feel sidelined. Fifteenth, overall, while the focus on Levante is important, the broader ramifications of ditching the Ballon d'Or are far more intricate than a simple “stay focused” mantra suggests.
Raj Bajoria
September 28, 2025 AT 07:54Alonso keeps his eyes on Levante.
Simardeep Singh
September 28, 2025 AT 14:50Reading the drama around the Ballon d'Or, I can’t help but think we’re all just chasing shadows. Alonso’s cold‑shoulder to the glitter isn’t just about football; it’s a reminder that the real satisfaction comes from the mud on our boots, not the sparkle on a pedestal. If we keep worrying about who gets a statue, we’ll miss the chance to feel the wind on the field, the roar of the crowd, the simple joy of a perfect pass. That’s where the soul of the game lives – in the moments that no award can capture. So, let’s stay grounded, focus on Levante, and let the rest fade into background noise.
Aryan Singh
September 28, 2025 AT 21:47Alonso’s approach makes sense from a performance standpoint. By removing external distractions, the squad can concentrate on the tactical work ahead. It also sets a clear message that individual accolades are secondary to team success. This mindset could foster stronger cohesion and drive better results in the league and European competition.
Poorna Subramanian
September 29, 2025 AT 04:44From a coaching perspective the focus on the upcoming fixture against Levante is paramount. The team’s preparation, rotation and tactical adjustments are the key factors that will determine success. A single award should never dictate the weekly training agenda. Maintaining this disciplined approach will serve the club well throughout the season.
Soundarya Kumar
September 29, 2025 AT 11:40Exactly, staying disciplined and keeping the squad’s eyes on the next match is the smartest move. It’s the kind of practical mindset that builds consistency over time.