An absent Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti clinched the Coach of the Year award at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris on Monday.
Ancelotti alongside seven players from the Real Madrid contingent who were shortlisted for the individual award, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde and the retired Toni Kroos, did not show up to walk the red carpet before the ceremony began.
The Italian beat the likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, Man City’s Pepe Guardiola, Argentine head coach, Lionel Scaloni and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente.
The Spanish and European champions told the press earlier Monday they questioned the methods behind the selection of the Ballon d’Or winner, saying that their defender Dani Carvajal, another of the 30 players nominated, had also been unfairly overlooked.
“If the award criteria don’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” Real Madrid representatives had said.
“As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”
For this year’s edition, the organisers had decided to keep the winner’s identity secret until the on-stage announcement.
Ancelotti guided the Spanish giants to their 15th UEFA Champions League title against Borussia Dortmund.