Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has stood by his club's decision to boycott the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony, emphasizing that Vinicius Jr was their deserving candidate over Rodri of Manchester City. The Spanish giants' absence from the prestigious event sparked widespread debate, with critics labeling it as petty and disrespectful. Yet, Ancelotti remains unwavering in his stance.

"We believed Vinicius deserved the Ballon d'Or," Ancelotti stated ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with City. "This doesn't diminish our respect for Rodri, who is a phenomenal player. In fact, I think Rodri deserved it the year before."

A History of Ballon d'Or Controversies

The Ballon d'Or has long been a topic of heated debate in football. In 2023, Lionel Messi claimed the award for a record eighth time after his stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami. Meanwhile, Rodri played a pivotal role in Manchester City's historic Treble triumph in 2022-23, scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. Despite this, Ancelotti insisted that Vinicius's contributions were equally worthy of recognition.

The UCL Showdown: Real vs. City

As Real Madrid prepares to face Manchester City in the Champions League, injuries have left the Spanish side depleted. Key defenders Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal are all sidelined, forcing Ancelotti to describe the situation as an "emergency." On the other hand, City, despite their recent struggles, remain a formidable opponent under Pep Guardiola.

"It feels like a Clásico because we've faced each other so often in this competition," Ancelotti remarked. "They are one of the best teams in Europe, with one of the best managers. Guardiola is an innovator who consistently challenges us to think."

Guardiola's Perspective

Guardiola, meanwhile, downplayed the Ballon d'Or controversy, stating, "There's no resentment here. Rodri deserved it, but so did Vinicius. It’s a subjective award, and the debate is over."

As the two football giants collide, the focus shifts from individual accolades to team glory. With both sides battling injuries and high expectations, this Champions League encounter promises to be a clash of titans.