UCL: Guardiola and Ancelotti Address Ballon d’Or Controversy Ahead of Epic Clash
As the anticipation builds for the first leg of the Champions League knockout round playoff between Manchester City and Real Madrid, both managers, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, have taken the opportunity to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.
The two European giants are set to clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening, marking their first encounter since Real Madrid’s controversial boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony last October. The boycott stemmed from the decision that saw City midfielder Rodri claim the prestigious award over Madrid’s rising star, Vinicius Junior, a decision that sparked considerable debate among fans and pundits alike.
Rodri will not be participating in this crucial match as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. Despite his absence, questions regarding the Ballon d’Or situation dominated the pre-match press conferences.
Pep Guardiola, in his typical candid style, expressed no ill-will towards Real Madrid for their decision to boycott. “Absolutely not,” he stated when asked if there were any lingering tensions.
“I was happy for Rodri, but Vinicius had an extraordinary year as well. He could deserve it too, just like in the past when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were fighting for it. So, the subject is over.”
On the other side, Carlo Ancelotti defended Real Madrid’s choice to skip the ceremony, noting that it was a statement about their views on the awards. He lamented the missed opportunity to accept his accolade as the 2024 Men’s Coach of the Year in person, but stood firm on the decision. “I don’t think it was the wrong decision,” Ancelotti remarked.
“We believed Vini was the rightful winner of the Ballon d’Or. It doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri; he is a fantastic player. I think Rodri deserved to win it the year before.”
Looking ahead to the match, Vinicius Junior is expected to take the field for Real Madrid, joining fellow stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. Both teams will be eager to secure an advantage before the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.
