Ancelotti press conference ahead of Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: merit must go to Ballon d’Or result

VSarlo Ancelotti spoke to the press on Tuesday before real Madrid‘s LaLiga Santander clash with Athletic club.

However, not all questions were about the upcoming game, with the Golden ball pay a lot of attention.

Leo Messithe victory of sparked a heated debate, but Ancelotti believes the result should be respected, even though he wished for a winner for Real Madrid in next year’s edition.

“You have to give credit to the result [of Ballon d’Or 2021]. Messi won and is still a great player. And there is nothing more to add, “he said.

“For players, individual rewards are important, but if they don’t earn them, that’s okay.

“I hope next year a Real Madrid player wins it. Benzema had a great season and finished fourth. He will continue with the motivation to try to be first.”

Asked about Edenic dangerfitness, Ancelotti gave positive news.

“Eden is doing well and has done the whole training session with the team,” he said.

“He will be with the team [against Athletic]. He had no muscle discomfort, only gastroenteritis. Rodrygo had it too and is not in the best condition.

“Hazard’s problem is physical, he has to improve his condition. He has to have minutes. Of course having minutes will improve his condition. He has to endure, but we have a lot of games and I think he will get minutes. “

Ancelotti is full of praise for his center-back duo Eder Militao and David Alaba.

“Militao and Alaba combine their qualities well. Militao has more physical qualities and Alaba is more used to playing in a four-man backline,” he said.

“But Nacho is at the same level as them even though he doesn’t play as much now. Nacho has good physical and technical qualities. We need to improve in defense.”

in Real Madrid’s recent 2-1 win over Sevilla, the visitors felt they should have been awarded a penalty for Alaba’s challenge over Lucas Ocampos, but Ancelotti believes there was not enough contact under the new rules for such an appeal to be made.

“In Sevilla they can get mad, but at the start of the season they told us these soft penalties were not going to be given,” he said.

“And I agree. Penalties should be clear and soft penalties should not be called.”