Ever since Rodri was awarded the Ballon d’Or, controversy has been rife, particularly in Madrid, where Vinicius Jr’s failure to win came as a surprise to everyone. The day after the ceremony, Josep Pedrerol made a revelation on France Football. The famous El Chiringuito presenter, who first announced Real Madrid’s absence from the Gala, told the whole truth.
As Josep Pedrerol revealed for the first time on El Chiringuito, Real Madrid were given advance notice of the Ballon d’Or 2024 results. According to the journalist, Carlo Ancelotti had known for several days that he would be rewarded as best coach. The same was true of Real Madrid, who were also aware of the prize for best team. But when it came to Vinícius Jr, France Football’s strategic silence gave rise to uncertainty, which turned into suspicions of possible pressure from UEFA. Josep Pedrerol, who is very well informed about what goes on behind the scenes at the Ballon d’Or gala, revealed last night that the Transalpine coach knew he was the best coach long before the ceremony.
Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti reportedly received a phone call for an exclusive interview, a clear sign of his triumph in the category. “Ancelotti had known for eight days that he would win the award. Real Madrid also knew that he had won the award for best club. A week or eight days ago, Ancelotti was called by France Football, and they asked him for an interview, because he is the winner as best coach. And Ancelotti gave the interview. That’s why yesterday (Monday) he sent a message of gratitude, especially remembering Vinicius and Carvajal, in this message he made on social networks,’ Pedrerol commented first.
🚨🚨 EXCLUSIVA @jpedrerol 🚨🚨
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 30, 2024
‼️ "ANCELOTTI se enteró hace 15 días que ganaba el premio a Mejor Entrenador".
🔥 "El REAL MADRID también sabía que ganaba el de 'Mejor Club". pic.twitter.com/upBSiGaHd2
France Football sent Real Madrid scurrying for Vinicius
When Real Madrid contacted France Football to find out about Vinícius’ chances of winning the Best Player award, they received a rather evasive response. Josep Pedrerol then revealed that France Football, because of UEFA’s involvement in the gala, had given no guarantees regarding Vinícius. However, it was the organisers themselves who called the club to inform them that they had won Team of the Year and that Carlo Ancelotti had won Coach of the Year.
“Real Madrid knows that Ancelotti is the winner. They have also told Real Madrid that they are also going to give them the prize for the best team. And Real Madrid asked: ‘What about Vinicius? “ ”We can’t give out that information’,” added the El Chiringuito presenter. From then on, Real Madrid began to doubt that the prize would go to Vinicius, since France Football was working with UEFA.
This sowed doubts among Real Madrid’s directors, who interpreted France Football’s silence as a sign that the Brazilian would not win such an eagerly-awaited prize. As expressed, this indecision would also have been the determining factor in Real Madrid’s decision not to take part in the gala, given that Vinicius richly deserves the Ballon d’Or. For the club and its supporters, he deserved this kind of recognition.
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