Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended the club's decision to boycott the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony last October.

The Los Blancos contingent did not show up at the French Football Magazine's awards gala after it emerged that Vinicius Junior had lost the award to Manchester City's Rodri.

Speaking ahead of the crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Pep Guardiola's side, the Italian tactician stated that the Brazilian international deserved to win the award the previous year.

Lionel Messi won the award in 2023, beating Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri, respectively, in the final ranking.

“I don’t think it was a bad decision [Real Madrid snubbing the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony],” Ancelotti said.

“We didn’t want to be involved because we thought Vini Jr. was the winner.

“That doesn’t mean we didn’t respect Rodri. He’s a fantastic player, and we think he deserved to win it the year before.”