Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could face the axe if Real Madrid fail to win any major titles
It has not been a bright phase for Real Madrid. If their defeat to Barcelona in midweek wasn’t enough, the defending champions were held by Real Betis in the most recent La Liga contest, thus allowing Barcelona to stretch their lead at the top to nine points.
In the aftermath of the victory, The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana has published a comprehensive report regarding Real Madrid’s internal problems, even suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti could be on his way out of Santiago Bernabeu if the club fail to secure any major trophy by the end of the season.
The defeat to Barcelona means the Spanish giants are already facing the risk of bowing out of Copa del Rey. If they are to secure a berth in the final, they must overturn a one-goal deficit against the Blaugrana in the second leg.
The race for the league title, meanwhile, appears to be over, with Barcelona holding a seemingly unassailable nine-point lead at the top.
Real Madrid, though, have been doing well in the UEFA Champions League. Despite a less-than-perfect ending to their group-stage campaign, the Whites secured a formidable 5-2 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the Round of 16.
Except for an unforeseen miracle, Real Madrid are more than likely to qualify for the quarterfinal stage.
But that does not guarantee the safety of Ancelotti, who has also been a subject of a potential move to the Brazilian national team at the end of the season.
The report also suggests Ancelotti is unhappy with the Real Madrid board for multiple reasons. The Italian was reportedly upset with the club’s hierarchy for pushing him out of the Bernabeu, but it appears his requests for reinforcement last summer was also denied by the board.
Therefore, the coming months could be crucial for Ancelotti, as far as his future in the Spanish capital is concerned.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid relationship with Ballon d’Or organisers improving after major fallout – report
Real Madrid’s relationship with the Ballon d’Or suffered a spectacular fallout a couple of seasons ago during the saga involving Vinicius Junior.
However, according to MARCA (h/t Madrid Zone), relations between Madrid and the Ballon d’Or organisers are slowly improving and veering towards normality again.
Madrid and Ballon d’Or rebuilding relationship
The dispute erupted around the 2024 ceremony after Madrid learned that Vinicius Junior would not win the Ballon d’Or, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri ultimately receiving the award.
Madrid reacted strongly, deciding not to send their delegation to the ceremony in Paris despite several representatives being expected to attend.
The decision turned what should have been a celebration of Madrid’s successful season into a major controversy.
The club’s absence also made clear that the disagreement extended beyond disappointment over one individual award.
Relations subsequently became extremely strained. Now, however, the situation appears to be changing.
A significant change after 2024
For Madrid, rebuilding the relationship does not mean forgetting what happened.
The club felt strongly about the treatment surrounding the 2024 ceremony, particularly after Vinicius had been widely viewed inside Madrid as deserving of the prize.
However, remaining in a permanent dispute with one of football’s most prestigious institutions offers limited benefit.
Madrid routinely have players competing for the biggest individual honours in the sport.
Maintaining a functional relationship with the Ballon d’Or organisers is therefore the more practical position.
It is a work in progress to return the relationship to where it was before the 2024 controversy, but a first step is always good news.
A player like Kylian Mbappe is in the running to win the Ballon d’Or this year, and it would be important to mend fences ahead of a potential accolade.
Tensions beginning to ease
The important development is simply that the relationship is moving in a more positive direction.
It is significant considering how publicly and dramatically Madrid distanced themselves from the ceremony two years ago.
Ultimately, the understanding that the Ballon d’Or is an award decided by voting would help resolve a lot of this controversy.
There is absolutely no doubt that Vinicius Junior deserved to win the award in 2024 for the season he had, but that is in the past.
Madrid do not need to forget, but it is important that they mend fences with the organisers ahead of potential accolades for their superstars in the coming years.
