Real Madrid News
Ancelotti’s message to Real Madrid superstar after FIFA FIFPro World XI snub – report
The FIFA Best Awards on Monday brought with it an array of storylines, especially for those in Real Madrid colours. The Merengues were harshly done at the awards, with their UEFA Champions League exploits grossly overlooked and stars left unrecognised.
While the World Cup was certainly the biggest event of the year, many feel that at least one of Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, and Carlo Ancelotti should have been honoured with the title of ‘The Best.’
However, the most shocking part of the ceremony, undeniably, was when Vinicius Jr was not named a part of the FIFPro World’s Best XI on the night. The youngster had recorded the most complete season of his career in 2021-22, and his exclusion was inexcusable.
According to reports from ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra), Carlo Ancelotti has sent a special message to the Brazilian winger after his shocking treatment and encouraged him to keep pushing on and shutting his haters.
“You deserved to be there. We all know it. Now it’s time for you to show it once again, starting with Barcelona.”
Fresh from the wounds of the ceremony in Paris, Vinicius will return to action on Thursday night in a special Clasico at home. Needless to say, the youngster will be fired up and hungry to prove his worth.
While the youngster was not present in Paris from the event, his name did come up during the proceedings when former teammate Casemiro opted to speak up for the Brazilian in front of the world.
The Brazilian midfielder brought up the topic of anti-racism and reignited unity against the atrocity, saying (h/t Madrid Zone): “We have to stop with this now (the insults & racism against Vinícius) La Liga has to do something, because this is very serious.”
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid locker room angry with Barcelona midfielder’s ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour – report
While the evident frustration among the Real Madrid players was quite visible following the recent 1-2 defeat against Barcelona, the feeling of vexation was not really limited on the field.
Journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that once the players got into the dressing room, the environment had an air of anger and frustration.
Players from each team had a go at each other right till the end, especially the likes of Dani Carvajal and Arnau Tenas, who had to be separated by several members from both teams.
Interestingly, before the aforementioned incident, Barcelona midfielder Gavi was already causing some trouble on the field. The youngster did not shy away from putting his body on the line throughout the game and it annoyed Madrid players to the extreme.
First, he pushed Carvajal in one incident and after that, he entangled himself in an off-the-ball clash with Dani Ceballos. The Madrid midfielder first had a collision with Robert Lewandowski and as the game moved on, Gavi made note of the incident.
During the run of play, Gavi pushed Ceballos with his shoulder and it did not settle well with the Madrid players and manager Carlo Ancelotti. The players and the manager were disturbed by Gavi’s behaviour and considered it ‘unsportsmanlike’.
On the other hand, there was frustration involving refereeing decisions as well. It must be remembered that in the 82nd minute, Marco Asensio found the back of the net to send the Madrid fans into a frenzy.
The celebration, however, was cut short as VAR disallowed the goal for an extremely tight offside. “We are sad, frustrated,” a dressing room source told The Athletic. “What happened? A guy looking at a TV in Madrid has decided La Liga.”
Ancelotti, on his part, said: “The disallowed goal? I don’t know, I really don’t know. I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m leaving with this doubt. If the VAR is sure.”
“I leave this match very proud. I don’t think we deserved to lose today,” he added.
