Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho reportedly snubbed Monday's Ballon d'Or event in Zurich because he did not believe that he would pick up the managerial award.
According to sources in Madrid, the Portuguese also decided against travelling to the Gala due to his strained relationship with two of his players that will be in attendance, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
"It's one thing to be in a flight full of other people, but he felt the atmosphere wouldn't be right with just him and the players," said the source.
Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is on the shortlist for the top award alongside Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, with the latter expected to win the award for a fourth consecutive year.