Carlo Ancelotti has strongly defended Real Madrid's decision to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October, a protest aimed at Manchester City's Rodri winning the award instead of Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid squad felt their Brazilian winger, Vinicius Jr., deserved the title, and as a result, they collectively chose to skip the event in Paris. Ancelotti reiterated that while they hold great respect for Rodri as a player, they believed Vinicius should have won the award in 2023, particularly after his standout performances for Madrid.
Ahead of the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Manchester City, Ancelotti doubled down on his stance, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of Rodri's abilities but rather a belief that Vinicius was more deserving of the accolade. He also commented on the growing intensity of the rivalry between City and Real Madrid, calling their recent encounters a modern-day “Clasico” between two of Europe’s most dominant teams.
In addition to the rivalry, Ancelotti shared his admiration for Pep Guardiola, calling him a "nightmare" to face as a manager. Despite City’s struggles this season, Ancelotti acknowledged Guardiola’s influence on the game, particularly his innovative attacking style and ability to build play from the back. He praised Guardiola for his contribution to football and reaffirmed that City, under his management, remain a formidable force in the Champions League.
Ancelotti described preparing to face Guardiola’s City as particularly challenging, citing Guardiola’s ability to constantly bring fresh ideas to the table. He also stressed the importance of mental and emotional preparation, noting that any team not operating at their best against Guardiola's tactics would likely fail to achieve a favorable result. Reflecting on their previous encounters, Ancelotti pointed out that the team that has advanced from their last three meetings has gone on to win the Champions League, hinting that the same could be true this year.
Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who has been a key player in their past Champions League successes against City, also spoke about his excitement for the upcoming tie. Rodrygo, who scored twice in the dramatic 2022 semi-final comeback, reminisced about the unforgettable moments from that night and expressed his hope for another emotional and memorable performance in the current season’s competition.
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