After FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated that Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer deserves the Ballon d'Or award more than Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, the latter's club strategist Carlo Ancelotti was left unsatisfied.
Blatter earlier this week said that the goalkeeper from Germany "Ballon d'Or" is more deserving because he won the World Cup with the national team this summer. Meanwhile, the coach of the Madrid team believes that his protege should receive the trophy for the second time in a row.
"I was surprised by the FIFA president's comment, but he can say whatever he wants," Ancelotti said during a press conference.
"We can't do anything about it. It's impossible to silence the FIFA president."
"The Ballon d'Or is something people start talking about months before the awards ceremony. However, in my opinion, this year there isn't much to discuss."
"If Ronaldo received the golden ball last year surpassing players like Franck Ribéry and Lionel Messi, there is no doubt that it will happen again this year. He managed to win important titles with the club and score a lot of goals."
"Personally, Blatter's statement that Neuer should win the award did not impress me."
The expanded list of 23 candidates to win the best football player prize will be narrowed down to three on December 1st, with the winner set to be announced on January 12th.
