The name Ancelotti is a familiar one in football. After all, Carlo has proven himself to be one of the all-time managerial greats over the past few decades, winning the Champions League on five different occasions.
The name of his son, Davide, is less familiar to the average fan. That said, those who follow Real Madrid will know him as the club's former assistant coach. The 35-year-old had been part of the club's coaching team since 2021, but left this summer, joining his father to work with the Brazilian national team.
Davide has had the pleasure of working with some notable Ballon d'Or winners, including Luka Modric and Karim Benzema and was recently asked who he thinks can claim the prize in 2025. His answer, however, may come as a bit of a shock.
The 15 'Most Complete Players' in football have been ranked by AI Related
AI has Named and Ranked the 15 Most 'Complete' Players in Football History - No Messi
AI has named the 15 most 'complete' players in footballing history - with one glaring omission
Davide Ancelotti Tips Surprise 2025 Ballon d'Or Winner
He chose ageing Real Madrid star Luka Modric
Speaking in April 2025, Ancelotti was asked who he believes should take home the Ballon d’Or this year. He told Radiostadio Noche (via TNT Sports):
"This year? Luka Modric."
While he didn't elaborate on his thinking, he did speak about Modric's exit from Madrid, which will happen this summer. He remarked, "I don’t want to talk about the club’s decisions.
"Luka still has a lot of football to give. It’s true football is changing but Luka plays with his head, he can play as long as he wants."
Modric Won Award in 2018
Ended Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or supremacy
Of course, Modric is already a Ballon d'Or winner, having claimed the prize in 2018. He broke the famous 10-year run in which only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the award, and few could argue against the decision to hand it to the Croatian.
After all, in that winning year, he became the first player in history to be awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Men's Player, FIFA Best Men's Player and Ballon d'Or in the same year. He also helped Croatia shock many and make it all the way to the World Cup final, and won the Champions League with Madrid, making him a very worthy winner.
But that was then and this is now, and Modric's final season with Madrid in 2024/25 does not compare with what he achieved in the past. Although still impressive for a 39-year-old, he has played 61 games, scored four goals, picked up nine assists, but did not win La Liga or the Champions League and has been a peripheral figure, with most appearances coming off the bench.
The Club World Cup is the only major trophy he can get his hands on at this stage. That will be the final tournament he plays in before heading to AC Milan.
It's certainly a rogue call for the younger Ancelotti to pick Modric as his 2025 Ballon d'Or winner. For most people, the two front-runners are Lamine Yamal (who won La Liga with Barcelona), and Ousmane Dembele (who lifted the Champions League with Barcelona).
Perhaps the coach is just desperate to see the prize return to Madrid. He wouldn't be the only one to offer a surprise name, though, as club icon Marcelo recently snubbed all obvious names to tip Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2025 award. It seems unlikely that either man will be right when the decision is made in September.
Stats via Transfermarkt - correct as of 05/07/25