LUSALI — Head coach Carlo Ancelotti relished a triumphant end to a sparkling 2024
for Real Madrid as his side became champions after
beating Pachuca 3-0 in final.
"I am very happy, it is natural. We did the things we
prepared, and this made the difference. Everyone played a good match; I am very
happy. It was a match that in the middle of the season could have caused
problems and instead we deservedly won it," said Ancelotti following the
match, as quoted by FIFA.
Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr were on target for
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who rounded off a superb year in style with five
trophies won to end the calendar year.
"I think it was a pretty clear game. Up until the
Mbappe goal, we had problems to activate the players up top; we had some
difficulty. Once we started getting forward, those four have an incredible
quality. That is what we have to do, get out with the ball cleanly and get the
attack going," he added.
Ancelotti also earned his 15th title at the helm of the team
and couldn’t help but joke about his own Real Madrid legacy becoming permanent.
"I’m happy, obviously I share that with the club
because it is simpler to win titles here than in other places. It is easier to
win with these players because of their quality. I am very happy, I don’t know
where they are going to put my statue, but they’ll tell me," said
Ancelotti.
Real Madrid collected most of the tournament awards in the
night, with Vinicius Junior adding the Player of the Tournament award and
Golden Ball, while Valverde pocketed the adidas Silver Ball.
On Tuesday night, the Brazilian forward Vini Jr. was crowned
The Best FIFA Men’s Player for the first time, his reward for an exceptional
2023/24 season.
Just over 24 hours after being presented with that coveted
prize, he played a starring role in Madrid's FIFA Intercontinental Cup win.
"These two days have been incredible for me. Yesterday,
I received the award for best player in the world – and today I came here and
won and was named the best player of the match," said Vini Jr.
"I’m very happy to have received another individual
award, which is dedicated to all my people, to my wife, my children and my
parents, who have been with me through the good times and bad," said
Valverde.
