Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised FC Barcelona rival Xavi Hernandez's decision to stay with the Catalans at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Xavi originally announced he would step down on June 30. After a meeting with Barca president Joan Laporta at his house on Wednesday evening, however, Xavi agreed to see out his contract which expires on the same date in 2025.

Asked about this when appearing before the media to preview Friday's league clash with Real Sociedad, Ancelotti said that Xavi "has done a good job at Barca".

"He knows the club well and it's a good decision for him to stay," Ancelotti added.

La Liga's two biggest clubs didn't see eye to eye on the events that unfolded in the latest edition of El Clasico, which finished 3-2 to the hosts at the Bernabeu and opened up an 11-point gap at the summit.

While Xavi called the lack of goal line technology in Spain and the officiating an "embarrassment", president Joan Laporta threatened to ask for a replay of the fixture if it is proven that Lamine Yamal's first half effort indeed entered Andriy Lunin's net.

"We have to respect difference of opinion, we all do that many times. It's allowed," said Ancelotti, ever the diplomat.

"I don't think Laporta has asked for a repeat of the Clasico," he stated.

"We have a good feeling, everything that happens around us doesn't affect us. We're happy, [and] we want to finish the season in a fantastic way."

"Words are blown away by the wind, complaints are opinions," Ancelotti offered.

As for the task in hand against La Real, Madrid's manager said that he and his men are "looking forward to the game".

"We are seven points away from mathematically having the league. [It will be a] tough game, as always against La Real," he predicted.

Though they both missed training on Thursday, Ancelotti confirmed that Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo will both travel with the squad to San Sebastian.

Ancelotti was also asked who he would pick for to win the Ballon d'Or later this year and replied, "Bellingham and Vinicius, both of them".

When it comes to the France Football gong's ceremony in Paris, however, there can only be one winner that will attempt to dethrone former Barca icon Lionel Messi.