Eppe Franklyne –
- Carlo Ancelotti defended Real Madrid’s decision to boycott last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony after Vinicius Junior was overlooked for the prestigious award.
- Ancelotti explained that Madrid felt Vinicius deserved the award over City’s Rodri, though he acknowledged Rodri as a fantastic player.
- Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and defender Ruben Dias downplayed any tension between the two clubs over the no-show.
- The rivalry between Real Madrid and Manchester City has become one of the fiercest in recent Champions League history, with both teams consistently reaching the later stages of the competition.
- Ancelotti highlighted the importance of individual quality, confidence, and attitude in their upcoming playoff, with both teams possessing world-class attacking talent.
Ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti defended his team’s decision to boycott the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The decision followed Vinicius Junior’s controversial snub for the award, which was instead given to Manchester City’s Rodri. While Ancelotti acknowledged Rodri’s excellence, he firmly believed that Vinicius deserved to be recognized. “We didn’t want to participate because we thought Vinicius was the winner of the Ballon d’Or,” said Ancelotti.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and defender Ruben Dias dismissed any suggestion of bad blood. Guardiola expressed no concerns over Madrid’s absence, stating, “Absolutely not,” and emphasized that the matter was closed. Dias echoed this sentiment, noting that he didn’t dwell on the issue and celebrated Rodri’s achievement on the night.
On the field, the rivalry between Madrid and City has grown intense, with both clubs facing off in the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season. With both teams having reached two finals in the past four years, the stakes are high, and Ancelotti described the contest as a “modern classic.” He emphasized that attitude, confidence, and individual brilliance would be key to success in this high-level encounter.
Real Madrid enters the match with an attacking force that includes Vinicius, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Endrick. Guardiola admitted that it would be nearly impossible for City to completely neutralize Madrid’s attacking threat. “It’s impossible for 90 minutes, 180 minutes, or even 200 minutes to control these four players,” he said, recognizing their exceptional talent.
