Football
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Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Maradona named to Italy Hall of Fame

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Argentine legend Diego Maradona were named to the Italian football Hall of Fame on Monday in Florence.

The Italian coach moved to the Bernabeu in June 2013 and led Real to a Copa del Rey trophy and a record 10th European title in his first season in charge.

Ancelotti expressed his gratitude on Twitter:

Last month, Real landed their fourth title of 2014 at the Club World Cup, adding the global crown to their Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey triumphs.

Ancelotti -- who played for Milan from 1987-92 and managed the club from 2001-09, helping them to four European Cups and three Serie A titles in those times, was honoured in the Hall's fourth edition, along with Maradona and Fabio Cannavaro.

Maradona, who played with Napoli from 1984-1991, was voted in in the foreign player category while Cannavaro was named as best Italian player. Neither Cannavaro nor Maradona were in attendance on Monday.

The three join the likes of Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and coaches Marcello Lippi, Arrigo Sacchi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello.

Past inductees include coaches Adriano Galliani, Giampiero Boniperti and Massimo Moratti; referees Pierluigi Collina, Luigi Agnolin, Paolo Casarin, Sergio Gonella and Cesare Gussoni; and legends Gigi Riva, Dino Zoff and Gianni Rivera.

The Hall, founded in 2011, is located in Florence at the Italian football museum.

"I have been very fortunate in my career, both as a player and a coach, to be part of the Milan of Sacchi and then as a coach, I have been very lucky. Of all the titles the ones I hold dearest are the Milan Champions League victory [2993] in Manchester against Juve. It was the first," he said. 

Ancelotti commented on the four championships he has won as a coach. 

"Each championship is different, all the experiences are different," he said. "In England the game is very fast and the people are respected. The French league is very aggressive, there is great rhythm. Spanish football is known for its great matches and Italians are great tacticians, play great defense. They have all been positive experiences, new languages, history, different players. Madrid is treating me very well. Spain and Italy are similar, but I can't say anything different because there is a Spanish journalist present."

He also hailed three-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and said he didn't feel slighted at not winning the top coach of the year award after learning that Ronaldo was a winner.

"I have coached many champions but Cristiano is the most effective. I have never coached a player before who was capable of averaging a goal per match.

"I think after winning the World Cup as Germany did, he [Low] is deserving of the coaching Ballon d'Or. I am happy to be among the top finishers and also because Cristiano won."

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