Barcelona can't resist mocking Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott as Lamine Yamal wins Kopa Trophy while Vinicius Jr stays at home

Star winger Vinicius was labelled as the bookmakers' favourite to be awarded the Ballon d'Or for the 2023-24 season as he led Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double. However, after news broke out that Manchester City star Rodri was set to be handed the prestigious award, Los Blancos decided to boycott the award ceremony in Paris at the last moment.

Barcelona saw a number of their players from the men's team travel to Paris for the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi having been nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which went to the former following his heroics for club and country. Yamal was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or making it to the top 10 list. Barcelona's social media team has now seemed to mock Real Madrid's no-show as they thanked Ballon d'Or for the 'warm welcome'.

Responding to Ballon d'Or's official X post of the Barcelona men's and women's team entering the gala, Barcelona's social media team wrote: "We are truly honoured to be here. Thank you, Ballon d'Or, for such a warm and gracious welcome."

The players will now return to Barcelona to celebrate Yamal's Kopa Trophy win, and the Spaniard will likely present his award when his team take on bitter rivals Espanyol on Sunday, November 3 at home.