Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti open to taking the Brazil job on one condition – report
Croatia did the unthinkable when they eliminated Brazil from the FIFA World Cup 2022 last week and entered the semifinal for the second successive edition. The South American team were the outright favourites to walk away with the silverware but were inexcusably poor from the penalty spot during the shootout.
Considering the sky-high expectations from the Brazilian National Team, it comes as no surprise that Tite stepped down from the managerial position after their elimination. The team are now in search of a new coach, and Carlo Ancelotti is one of their main targets.
According to reports from Italy, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Ancelotti has not closed the door on the Brazilian national team. He is willing to take up the new challenge, but only on one condition.
The legendary manager will only accept Brazil’s proposal if he can join them in 2024 after his contract with Real Madrid ends. It has always been his idea to extend with the club, but the arrival of the new proposal has brought new ideas.
Real Madrid are undeniably unhappy with the quick developments on this front, but will not be able to do anything about it as Ancelotti would be out of contract in a year’s time.
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will return to action after the World Cup break on 30th December for the clash against Real Valladolid at Estadio Jose Zorilla.
The men in white are currently second on the La Liga table, two points behind leaders Barcelona. Yet, given that Ancelotti will have a close to full-strength squad for the last game of the calendar year, it might not be long before Los Blancos are leaders again.
According to MARCA, Eder Militao is seen as the undisputed leader of the Real Madrid defence, thanks to his ‘impeccable’ level of performances. The 25-year-old’s standing in the team has forced a duel between David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the second centre-back slot.
Militao arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, joining from FC Porto in a deal worth €50 million. While he made a slow start to life in Spain, the Brazilian slowly grew in stature from his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao established himself as a permanent fixture in the backline for the Merengues and was a standout performer last season as they won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The 25-year-old has carried on in the same vein of form this season as well, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, even chipping in with six goals.
The Brazilian international is seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sharing that opinion.
“I may lose credibility if I say Vinicius and Militão are the best striker and defender in the world respectively but it’s the truth. I am honest. Militão lacks nothing,” he had said last month.
Militao is not only viewed as the leader of the Real Madrid defence, but has also grown into a leader within the locker room as well, with the player being loved and fully supported by his teammates.
Militao’s presence has meant that Alaba and Rudiger have had to battle it out for the lone centre-back slot. The former had enjoyed a stunning season last time out after joining from Bayern Munich in 2021, but has struggled with injuries and fitness problems this term.
As for Rudiger, the German arrived last summer from Chelsea and started out slow, but has grown in confidence and stature, especially in recent months. So much so that, his signing is already being regarded as a success within the club.
In Militao, Real Madrid undoubtedly have a long-term fixture at the heart of the defence. But with Rudiger and Alaba in their thirties, the Merengues must look to bring in one more player who can take over from them in the near future and can form a partnership with Militao.
