- Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti addressed Real Madrid’s Ballon d'Or boycott ahead of their Champions League clash at the Etihad
- The highly anticipated clash will see Madrid’s Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe face off against Guardiola’s treble winners
- The first leg at the Etihad will be crucial for next week's decisive return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu
As Manchester City and Real Madrid prepare for a high-stakes Champions League quarter-final showdown, an old controversy has resurfaced, the 2024 Ballon d'Or fallout.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium, both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were once again pressed about Real Madrid’s decision to boycott last year’s Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The Spanish giants famously snubbed the prestigious awards night in Paris after learning that Vinicius Junior had lost out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri. This action denied Ancelotti the opportunity to collect his own prize after being named the 2024 Men’s Coach of the Year.
Despite the lingering controversy, Guardiola was quick to dismiss any ill feelings when asked about the issue during his pre-match press conference,
"Absolutely not, I was happy for Rodri, but Vinicius had an extraordinary year as well. He could have won it, just like when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo used to battle for it. So, the subject is over," he said.
While Guardiola aimed to downplay the situation, Ancelotti stood by Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the event,
"I don’t think it was the wrong decision, we thought Vini was the rightful winner of the Ballon d'Or. But it doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri, he is a fantastic player. I think he should have won it the year before," Ancelotti told reporters.
Rodri, the player at the heart of the controversy, will not be involved in Tuesday’s, February 11 game due to an ACL injury. However, Vinicius Junior is expected to lead Real Madrid’s attack alongside Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
City and Madrid will lock horns again in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday, February 19, where the fate of this high-profile tie will be decided.
Will the Ballon d'Or controversy fuel Real Madrid's determination, or will Guardiola's treble winners prove too strong once again? All eyes will be on the Etihad as football’s elite collide.
Will Man City be punished? Guardiola hints at impending financial rule verdict
Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester City’s long-standing battle against the Premier League’s financial rule breach allegations is nearing a resolution, with manager Pep Guardiola revealing that a verdict is expected within the next month.
The City boss made the claim ahead of his team’s FA Cup fixture against Leyton Orient, signalling that the club is preparing for the outcome of the extensive investigation.
