Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, brushed aside the controversy over Real Madrid’s boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony this Monday at a press conference. He explains that Vinicius, unrewarded, is saddened like the rest of the team for another reason: the tragic floods in Valencia.
Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, appeared very touched at a press conference this Monday on the eve of the clash against AC Milan in the Champions League (9 p.m.). The Italian began his speech with a tribute to the many victims of the deadly floods which hit Valencia last week. If his team did not play due to the postponement of its match against Valencia, he deplored the holding of other La Liga matches in these circumstances.
“It’s been a difficult week but that has absolutely nothing to do with what happened with the Ballon d’Or”
The former PSG technician was questioned at length about this drama which puts football in the background, he insisted. But he did not escape a few questions about the boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony by Real last Monday to protest against the non-awarding of the best player trophy to Vinicius. Ancelotti was rewarded with the trophy for best coach, which he relegated behind the Champions League won last June against Borussia Dortmund (2-0).
“I’m happy,” he reacted about his personal trophy. “The Golden Ball has already been awarded and we must congratulate all the winners. My Golden Ball was awarded to me on June 1 when we won the Champions League final.”
Ancelotti was revived during Real’s difficult week after the Clasico loss to Barça (0-4), the Ballon d’Or controversy and the Valencia tragedy. “It’s been a difficult week because it’s not a normal atmosphere but that has absolutely nothing to do with what happened with the Ballon d’Or,” he insisted. “The Golden Ball has passed, congratulations to those who won prizes. But the sadness is not there, the environment is different because of what happened in Spain.”
And it’s the same state of mind felt by Vinicius, he assures. “Vini is normal like all of us. We all realize what is happening. We didn’t play the match because of that, and fortunately we didn’t play it and, unfortunately, we have more time to prepare for the match In these circumstances, Vinicius trained well, like all of us.
Asked again about the Brazilian’s feelings, Ancelotti was clear. “I repeat, Vinicius is sad, like us, but not because he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, but because he sees what is happening in Valencia.”
NC with Edgar Groleau, in Madrid
