Ancelotti defends Ballon d´Or snub ahead of City clash

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended the club’s decision not to attend last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Real decided not to attend the ceremony in Paris last October, in protest against Vinicius Junior not being given the award, with the prize going to Manchester City’s Rodri.

This will be the first time both sides have faced since the incident, but Ancelotti insists there are no regrets within the club, despite the 65-year-old being unable to collect his coach of the year award in person.

“I don’t think it was the wrong decision,” he said.

“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.”