Carlo Ancelotti defends Real Madrid Ballon d'Or snub ahead of Manchester City tie - 'We thought Vinicius was the winner'

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Carlo Ancelotti has insisted there was no malice behind Real Madrid's decision to boycott last year's Ballon d'Or ceremony, after it emerged that Manchester City midfielder Rodri would beat Vinicius Junior to world football's most coveted individual award. The Italian called Rodri a "fantastic player" ahead of Los Blancos' trip to the Etihad in the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

Ancelotti defends Real Madrid Ballon d'Or snub - 'We thought Vinicius was the winner'

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has explained why the club chose not to attend the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the prestigious award, despite suggestions in the weeks before that it would go to Real's Vinicius Junior.

The Spanish and European champions boycotted the ceremony when it emerged that Rodri would be victorious, but Ancelotti insisted it was not out of disrespect towards the midfielder.

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"We thought Vini was the winner of the Ballon D'Or," said the Italian, whose side face Manchester City at the Etihad in the UEFA Champions League play-offs on Tuesday night – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"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."

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City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has attempted to defuse the situation.

"I was happy for Rodri but Vinicius [had] an extraordinary year as well," he said. "He could deserve it, like in the past when [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] were fighting for it. So the subject is over."

Rodri will be absent from the Champions League clash between the two clubs having missed most of the season with an ACL injury.

But Vinicius is expected to start in a clash between the two most recent winners of the competition, with one set to be eliminated prematurely.

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Vinicius, despite the high-profile arrival of Kylian Mbappe, is amongst the Champions League's top scorers this season, with seven goals in six appearances.

Guardiola's side head into the game off the back of a decidedly less glamorous FA Cup tie at Leyton Orient, where they ran out 2-1 winners despite an admirable performance from the League One side.

And Ancelotti has admitted he expects another difficult challenge against Guardiola, even amid City's struggles so far this season.

"It seems like it's a Clasico because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition," he said.

"I still think they are one of the best teams in Europe and have one of the best managers out there. He has always tried to play well and has brought a great deal to football in terms of attacking play.

"He is an innovator and I continue to believe in him. It's a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think."

Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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