Carlo Ancelotti Makes Another Record After Karim Benzema’s Ballon d’Or Win

• Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager to coach four different Ballon d'Or winners during their winning season
• Karim Benzema joined Ancelotti's exclusive list after a successful season under the vastly experienced Italian manager
• Ancelotti has earned this accolade before with Andriy Shevchenko, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka

Carlo Ancelotti etched his name in history books after becoming the first manager to successfully coach four different Ballon d'Or winners.

Karim Benzema became the fourth player that Ancelotti has managed during a Ballon d'Or winning season.

Benzema rounded off a brilliant year where together with Ancelotti, they won the Champions League and La Liga titles.

The Italian manager has a knack for guiding players to the levels of competing and winning Ballon d'Or awards.

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Football

Coached Shevchenko at AC Milan

His first success was with Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko, who won the award in 2004. He coached the striker at AC Milan where they won a couple of titles, including two Champions League titles.

He then led Kaka to the 2007 award at AC Milan. Kaka was one of the best playmakers in the world under Ancelotti at the San Siro Stadium.

Guided Ronaldo to 2014 win

Cristiano Ronaldo also won one of his five titles under Ancelotti in 2014. It was also in the same year that Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to the famous La Decima, their 10th Champions League title.

Zinedine Zidane is the other coach to have led different players to the Ballon d'Or award. The former Real Madrid head coach guided Ronaldo in 2017 and Luka Modric a year later, during his memorable three-year reign in the Spanish capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo set to grace Ballon d'Or ceremony for the first time since 2017

Football

Mourinho shares message with Benzema

Sports Brief earlier reported that Jose Mourinho has sent a glorious message to his former striker at Real Madrid - Karim Benzema - following his Ballon d'Or victory.

Benzema was finally rewarded with the highest individual gong in football following his exploits with Real Madrid last season.

The French striker led his club to La Liga and Champions League successes to beat Sadio Mane, Robert Lewandowski and Kevin De Bruyne to the 2022 prize.