Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti have addressed the controversy from the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash between their respective sides.
Man City and Real Madrid will both be seeking a first-leg advantage when they lock horns in Tuesday’s knockout round playoff clash at the Etihad Stadium.
The two teams are set to face off for the first time since Real Madrid controversially boycotted the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in October.
Los Blancos decided not to attend the awards night in Paris after they learned beforehand that Vinicius junior would be pipped to the top prize by Rod.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will not be involved in Tuesday’s first leg, as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
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Guardiola plays down Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or snub
However, Rodri’s absence did not stop the respective managers from being questioned about the Ballon d’Or drama ahead of the heavyweight meeting between Man City and Real Madrid.
Guardiola was defiant in his answer when asked at his pre-match press conference whether there was any ill-feeling towards Real Madrid following their Ballon d’Or snub.
“Absolutely not,” Guardiola told reporters on Monday. “I was happy for Rodri but Vinicius made an extraordinary year as well.
“He could deserve it, like in the past when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were fighting for it. So, the subject is over.”
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Ancelotti defends Real Madrid’s boycott
Real Madrid’s decision to miss the Ballon d’Or awards denied Ancelotti the chance to collect his prize in person after being named the 2024 Men’s Coach of the Year.
However, Ancelotti still insists it was the right decision to skip the ceremony, expressing his belief that Rodri should have won in 2023 rather than in 2024.
“I don’t think it was the wrong decision,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s first leg. “We thought Vini was the winner of the Ballon d’Or.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri because he is a fantastic player. I think Rodri deserved to win it the year before.”
While Rodri will not feature against Real Madrid, Vinicius is expected to be in Ancelotti’s starting lineup for the first leg alongside fellow star players like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
After going toe-to-toe at the Etihad Stadium, the two sides will meet again in next Wednesday’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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