Carlo Ancelotti is adamant Real Madrid were right to boycott the Ballon d'Or in protest at Manchester City's Rodri winning it ahead of Vinicius Jr. Real chose en masse to snub the Paris ceremony in October because they felt their Brazilian winger Vinicius would have been a more worthy winner.
Ahead of tonight's first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, Ancelotti doubled down on the controversial decision – claiming Rodri should have won the award in 2023 when City scooped the Treble.
Ancelotti said the new-found rivalry between City and Real had turned their encounters into a modern-day 'Clasico' between two of Europe's elite sides.
The Real boss also branded Pep Guardiola a “nightmare” to come up against – even accounting for City's poor form this season.
Real winger Rodrygo, who has scored four goals against City in past ties, is relishing the chance to add to that total.
