Natalie Portman showed up at the 2024 Ballon d’Or, hosted by France Football magazine, and took the chance to playfully tease Real Madrid.
The Ballon d’Or awards recently took place in France, celebrating the world’s top soccer players. Everything seemed pretty standard for fans keeping up with the event — until one unexpected guest stole the spotlight: Natalie Portman.
Natalie Portman in Thor: Love and Thunder (Credits: Marvel Studios)
On social media, some people were puzzled about why the Hollywood actress was there, but what really caught everyone off guard was a moment captured by photographers that quickly went viral among sports fans. Portman took the chance to snap a few photos and even threw some playful shade at Real Madrid — the club that had recently suffered a rough loss to FC Barcelona.
Natalie Portman Roasts Real Madrid During Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Natalie Portman in Annihilation (Credits: Paramount Pictures)
Since the Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona match last Saturday (26), soccer fans have flooded social media with reactions, especially with the Ballon d’Or ceremony just around the corner. The event took place yesterday (28) in France, where several players were honored.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony was created by France Football magazine to recognize the best player of the season. Initially limited to European players, it went global in 1995. From 2010 to 2015, it was merged with FIFA’s “Best Player in the World” award. However, France Football later reinstated the Ballon d’Or as an independent honor, while FIFA introduced its own award.
However, a surprise caught the attention of the general public. Actress Natalie Portman made an appearance that quickly went viral online. She was spotted taking photos with some FC Barcelona players, but one detail stood out — she had four fingers raised on one of her hands. This pose was a clear nod to the recent match where the club won decisively.
NO WAY SHE HELD UP THE NUMBER 4
Real Madrid have been getting bodied this entire day 😭😭 https://t.co/OkKObez2O3
— Brian (@Bri_an2) October 28, 2024
Fans were quick to comment:
Natalie Portman bodied Madrid can’t lie 😭
— DY (@DYDuglizer) October 28, 2024
It’s been a rough couple days for Madrid fans man 😂😂😂😂😂
— RA1. (@THFCLamine) October 28, 2024
Who knew Natalie Portman was so much fun?
— Nayeem Ahmed (@NayeemA07545117) October 29, 2024
Natalie played the role of Gavi in this pic🤣🤣🤣
— Don Kevin (@DonKevin679) October 29, 2024
They were shocked ahahaha
— princess kristel (@KriistelMendoza) October 28, 2024
However, Portman had a genuine reason for being there, which makes the story even more surprising and intriguing. She took to the stage to present the trophy for the best female player in the world to Aitana Bonmatí. (via CNN)
But the question still lingers: why would a celebrity from the film industry be at the event? Interestingly, the actress is a co-founder of Angel City, a team that competes in the U.S. women’s league.
Why Did Natalie Portman Start A Soccer Team?
Natalie Portman in Black Swan (Credits: Searchlight Pictures)
It’s quite surprising to think that a renowned actress like Portman would be involved in the world of sports, especially soccer. However, she has a compelling reason for her involvement — she believes that investing in women’s soccer is crucial for the growth of its culture.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, the star briefly touched on a topic that many people may not be aware of:
It’s a very weird story, but my son is really passionate about football, and when he was 7, it was the Women’s World Cup and he was as passionate as he had been about the previous Men’s World Cup. He was as passionate about the women as the men, and I was just watching him and I was like, ‘This is a revolution if young kids grow up idolizing female athletes the way they idolize male athletes.’ And it’s so evident we have the stars. These women are absolute stars, and so why, when they play on their home teams in the league, does no one even know it exists? You have the most popular sport in the world, the best players in the world in the U.S., and it’s completely invisible.
There’s a clear strategy behind her investment as well. According to her, a portion of the ticket sales goes directly to the players, enabling them to invest in their social media, attract sponsors, and enhance the team’s growth as a strong brand.
