Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, won Coach of the Year at the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation in Paris on Monday despite being absent.
Ancelotti did not appear to walk the red carpet prior to the ceremony, nor did seven Real Madrid players who were considered for the individual prize, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, and the retired Toni Kroos.
The Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, Man City’s Pepe Guardiola, and Bayer Leverkusen’s manager Xabi Alonso were all defeated by the Italian.
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.
