BALLON D'OR
Natalie Portman upsets Real Madrid fans with Yamal gesture
She was one of the non-sporting celebrity stars at the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala in Paris, and allegiances were clear.
Natalie Portman is an actress loved the world over. From her hugely popular role as Queen Amidala in Star Wars, to that of Thor’s scientist love interest, Jane Foster, and then darker characters in the likes of Closer, the now 43-year-old has a strong following.
Natalie Portman’s Barcelona link
But on the back of Monday night’s illustrious Ballon d’Or ceremony, she may have lost a few fans, those of a Real Madrid persuasion.
As can be seen in the above clip, while taking pictures with Barcelona’s latest superstar, Lamine Yamal, after the gala, Portman held up four fingers and gave a cheeky glance towards the player.
Maybe she was innocently reminding the 17-year-old that she was a multi-award winner herself, with an Oscar, a BAFTA and two Golden Globes already in her trophy cabinet. Of course, that‘s not what she was meant. It was a clear reference to Barça’s 4-0 drubbing of Los Blancos at the weekend, a gesture that young Yamal, who scored in that game, certainly enjoyed.