Soccer

Why are Benzema, Ancelotti, and Courtois not attending The Best gala?

Real Madrid have three nominees in the 2022 The Best FIFA awards, but neither Karim Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti, and Thibaut Courtois will attend the ceremony.

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Updated on
February 27, 2023 04:43PM EDT

**© Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno-Michael Regan/Getty Images**Karim Benzema (left), Carlo Ancelotti (c), and Thibaut Courtois.

While the Ballon d’Or changed its criteria to reward a player’sperformance duringthe club season, The Best continues to consider the calendar year. That’s why today, February 27, we’ll get to know the winners of the 2022 awards.

Argentina are expected to have a memorable night, with Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, and Emiliano Martinez all on pace to bring home three prizes. Besides, La Albiceleste could also winThe BestFan award.

Real Madrid will also have many of their own in contention, withKarim Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti, and Thibaut Courtois all in contention in their respective categories. However, neither of them will attend the event.

Why Benzema, Ancelotti, and Courtois are not present in the 2022 The Best

According to Marca, Real Madrid claim neither of their nominees can attend the event due to the tight schedule, though that wouldn’t be the only reason. The Spanish outlet believes that Los Blancos already know their nominees won’t win, while they’re also unhappy that Vinicius Jr. was snubbed from the Team of the Year shortlist.

Real Madrid will therefore have only one representative in the ceremony. Emilio Butrageño, a club legend who know works as an executive, will show up at the Salle Pleyel in Paris.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.

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Why are Benzema, Ancelotti, and Courtois not attending The Best gala?

Real Madrid have three nominees in the 2022 The Best FIFA awards, but neither Karim Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti, and Thibaut Courtois will attend the ceremony.

Why Benzema, Ancelotti, and Courtois are not present in the 2022 The Best

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