Ancelotti Reflects on Ballon d’Or Controversy
He revealed that for Real Madrid, their ultimate achievement was winning the Champions League, a collective victory he likened to their own Ballon d’Or.
Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti. Photo/Fabrizio Romano.
Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti offered his perspective on the Ballon d’Or award and recent events affecting his star forward, Vinicius Jr.
Speaking to the press, Ancelotti took a reflective approach, emphasizing the broader meaning of achievement and joy in football beyond individual awards.
He revealed that for Real Madrid, their ultimate achievement was winning the Champions League, a collective victory he likened to their own Ballon d’Or.
“We won our Ballon d’Or on June 1st,” Ancelotti remarked, alluding to their Champions League triumph in London. “Our Ballon d’Or was the Champions League we won.”
His comment highlights Real Madrid’s belief in prioritizing team achievements over individual honors, underlining the collective spirit that drives the club.
Ancelotti, however, shifted from discussing awards to addressing a broader issue affecting the football world: recent social and emotional impacts surrounding players, particularly Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian star has recently faced challenges not related to his Ballon d’Or standing. Ancelotti shared that Vinicius has been feeling “sad,” but clarified that it’s not due to any disappointment with the awards.
“Vinicius Jr. is sad but not because of the Ballon d’Or,” Ancelotti explained. “He is sad because of what’s happening in Valencia.”
Though he didn’t elaborate, the comment seems to reference the ongoing incidents of racial abuse that Vinicius Jr. and other players have faced in La Liga.
Ancelotti’s statement sheds light on the mental toll that social issues can have on players, reminding fans and officials that athletes often grapple with significant challenges outside the realm of sports.
Ancelotti also voiced his concern over the recent decision to keep playing despite emotional distress within the football community.
“Football is something happy,” he stated, noting the joy that the sport is meant to bring to both players and fans. He criticized the recent continuation of matches despite the emotional strain, saying, “You can’t celebrate when people are not fine… Football should have stopped last weekend.”
His comments reflect the need for compassion and sensitivity in sports, especially when players are facing troubling circumstances.
Ancelotti’s remarks serve as a call to action for football authorities to consider players’ well-being and mental health, adding a powerful voice to the ongoing dialogue surrounding mental health and social issues in sports.
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