Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender admits to joking with Ancelotti about Brazil NT job
Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has claimed that the team used to joke with manager Carlo Ancelotti about the rumours linking him with the Brazil national team job.
Brazil are on the lookout for a new manager after Tite stepped down following their quarter-final exit at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Ancelotti has been at the top of the wishlist for the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF), with reports earlier this month claiming that the Italian was all set to take over as manager at the end of the season.
The report stated that the Brazilian contingent in the Real Madrid squad – Eder Militao, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes – were aware of the imminent appointment.
However, soon after, Brazil issued an official statement to dismiss those rumours, while Ancelotti has also made it clear that he will not leave Real Madrid until his contract expires in the summer of 2024.
The speculations had peaked when Real Madrid were in Morocco for the FIFA Club World Cup and Militao has now admitted that the players joked around with Ancelotti about the same.
“When we were in Morocco, we joked with him about being the coach of the Brazilian national team. We have a good relationship with him. Just like he has a good relationship with us, so we joked about it,” Militao stated.
“We spoke to him about drawing up the list of players. We have a good relationship, but… For him now, right? He has a great cycle to complete at Real Madrid. We have to wait,” he added.
As iterated earlier, Ancelotti’s contract with Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2024. But recent reports suggest that the former Chelsea boss would be willing to stay beyond that as well, if the club wanted the same.
Real Madrid fans were dealt with a massive blow when star player Antonio Rudiger was left out of the squad against Real Valladolid, allegedly due to knee discomfort.
The injury sparked fears over his absence in the upcoming Copa Del Rey semifinal against Barcelona.
However, according to a report from Sergio Quirante, Rudiger’s knee injury is not thought to be serious. It appears the decision to leave him out of the squad against Valladolid may only be a precaution, with the defender set to undergo ultrasonic tests tomorrow.
Rudiger, whose injury scare came just 48 hours before Real Madrid’s big game against Barcelona, has been a stellar success in the club’s backline this season.
The German international has emerged as a real leader at the back, using his experience and authority to good effect. Although Real Madrid’s defence has left a lot to be desired this season, Rudiger has been one of the bright sparks.
His potential absence, therefore, could serve as a major blow for Los Blancos, in their hopes to reach the Copa Del Rey semifinal next week.
Real Madrid are heading into this semifinal with a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, meaning keeping a clean sheet could be mandatory if they are to overturn the deficit and book a place in the final. Rudiger, in that regard, could prove to be a vital asset.
In the meantime, Real Madrid are heading into the Valladolid game with David Alaba and Eder Militao as two of the only reliable centre-backs in the team. Among the two, Alaba has struggled with injuries this season, so it will be interesting to see how Carlo Ancelotti deals with this tricky situation this afternoon.
