Insulted? Or too busy? According to Spanish newspapers, all the stars of Real Madrid, including coach Carlo Ancelotti, will not take part in the FIFA world footballer gala in Paris on Monday evening (9 p.m. / Sky). As the newspapers “Marca” and “Sport” report, the reason for the “boycott” is said to be great dissatisfaction with the award by the world association.
Star striker Karim Benzema must therefore give way to Lionel Messi in the most important category of the best footballer of the year 2022. Messi is the big favorite for the silver trophy after winning with Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar. Ancelotti, who led the royals to another Champions League triumph last year, is expected to finish behind Argentina’s world champion coach Lionel Scolani. There are prizes in several categories for players, coaches, goalkeepers, as well as for the most beautiful goal and the best fans.
Germany international goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is among the three finalists in the world goalkeeper selection. The 32-year-old from Chelsea announced after the European Championship last summer that she had to undergo cancer treatment again.
Fifa did not comment on the speculation about the award. There is also displeasure in Madrid that young star Vinicius Junior does not even appear in the final list of the top 26 players for the world eleven.
Sports director Emilio Butragueño will now be the only representative of the royals at the gala in the Salle Pleyel not far from the triumphal arch. However, Real also has a busy program this week with the Clásico against FC Barcelona in the cup competition on Thursday.
Cancellations of key protagonists are nothing new. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not nominated this time, has been absent from galas several times in recent years when it became apparent that he would not be awarded the main prize.
