Real Madrid News
Napoli superstar calls Real Madrid legends his ‘idols’ growing up
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been one of the finest talents to come out of Georgian football over the past decades.
Currently plying his trade for Napoli, the winger’s stock has grown exponentially in recent years. This season, for one, he has been involved in 13 goals in 12 league matches, playing a vital role in helping the Partenopei lead the charge for the Serie A title race.
In a recent media interaction, though, Kvaratskhelia has voiced his love for Real Madrid and in extension, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The winger has indeed revealed that Ronaldo was his second idol after Guti and that he used to support Real Madrid since he was a kid.
“When I was little my favourite was Guti. After him, my favourite became Cristiano,” he told DAZN (h/t GOAL).
Ronaldo has recently made the news for his reported move to Saudi Arabia, with the forward expected to sign a bumper deal with Al Nassr, just a month after his contract was terminated by Manchester United.
The Portuguese international has been the subject of criticism from experts lately, especially following his return to Old Trafford. But that hasn’t deterred Kvaratskhelia from heaping praise on the former Real Madrid superstar, who remains one of the best players to ever play for the club.
Ronaldo’s name has been quite synonymous with Real Madrid even years after his departure from Santiago Bernabeu. Kvaratskhelia’s comments on the Portuguese forward are even more interesting, as it comes at a time when the Georgian has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital.
Although the Whites have reportedly invested in Brazilian whizkid Endrick, they are no doubt keeping tabs on Kvaratskhelia’s rapid progress. It will not come as a surprise to see them make a move for the Napoli starlet in the near future, especially with Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard facing an uncertain future at the club.
According to Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA, Real Madrid still consider Carlo Ancelotti as the ideal man to coach the team next season amid all sorts of speculations surrounding his future.
Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for a second stint as manager in 2021, replacing Zinedine Zidane. The Italian mastermind led Los Blancos to the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League triumph in his very first season back at the club.
However, things have not gone according to plans for Ancelotti & co. this season. Real Madrid are 12 points below Barcelona in La Liga, are also behind them in the Copa del Rey semi-final tie and face a difficult route to the finals of the UEFA Champions League.
So even though he has won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup this season, reports have claimed that Ancelotti could be sacked by Real Madrid if he does not lead the team to a major title.
In the meantime, the Brazil national team have made their interest in hiring Ancelotti as their next manager clear, which has only served to fuel speculations further.
Amidst this, the report states that Real Madrid continue to see Ancelotti as the ideal man to coach the team for the next season. The Italian, for his part, has always maintained that he does not wish to leave the Santiago Bernabeu before his contract expires in 2024.
“I want to continue at Real Madrid. I’m happy. I’ve already said many times that I would continue my whole life at Real Madrid,” he had said in the recent past.
At this point, neither Ancelotti has made any commitments to the Brazilian national team, nor Real Madrid have made a decision on his continuity. The Merengues have not approached any replacement candidates either despite links to Mauricio Pochettino, Raul Gonzalez and Julian Nagelsmann.
Furthermore, it is also claimed that Ancelotti continues to participate and have a say in all meetings with regard to planning for the future at Real Madrid.
However, while the club may remain committed to him at this point, there is no guarantee that the situation will change in the summer, especially if the objectives for the season are not met and Real feel the need to make some changes to their project.
