Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender confirms Ancelotti’s Brazil appointment: “He’s happy and excited”
Speaking to Globoesporte (h/t AS), Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has all but confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti will be taking over as the manager of the Brazil national team next year.
Ancelotti has been pursued by the Brazil national team ever since the FIFA World Cup 2022 got over and Tite stepped down from the manager’s position.
The Brazil Football Confederation’s president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, has time and again made it clear that Ancelotti is his first choice to take over, but it became clear that the Italian would not leave Real Madrid this summer.
As such, Brazil have appointed Fernando Diniz as manager for one year, with Rodrigues claiming that Ancelotti will take over from next summer, when his Real Madrid contract expires.
“He has a 12-month contract. He will make the transition to Ancelotti, who will arrive for the Copa America,” he said.
Now Militao has gone ahead and confirmed the same news, claiming that Ancelotti will be his coach with the Brazil national team.
“He always joked with us (Real Madrid’s Brazilians, who have been bugging him about it for months), he told us he was already there! But we didn’t want to go into it too much either, because it’s a delicate subject,” Militao said.
“Ancelotti is our coach at Real Madrid and he’s going to be our coach at the Canarinha. He’s happy and excited. He will give his best, I have no doubt about that. There’s no need to remember everything he’s achieved in his career… for me, he’s one of the best in the world. The national team will be in good hands.”
Giving an insight into the relationship that he shares with the manager, Militao added: “We have a healthy working relationship, but of course we also joke around. In fact, the relationship is very, very good. Like father and son.
“I’m very happy for the affection he transmits, not only to me, but to the whole dressing room. He is a very dear person, sincere; he says what he thinks and people listen to him. He is constantly looking for the best for us.”
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid full-back never considered summer exit, would retire at club if given chance
Ferland Mendy finds himself in a difficult situation at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has struggled with injury and fitness woes for a large part of the past year, leading to doubts over his future at the club.
In fact, it had been reported that Los Blancos were considering selling Mendy during the summer transfer window earlier this year itself.
But, such a move did not materialise and the 28-year-old has stayed put at the Santiago Bernabeu although reports suggest that he is likely to be on the move next year.
Mendy would retire at Real Madrid if he could
Despite there having been numerous reports about his future in the summer, The Athletic reports that Mendy did not consider the possibility of an exit at any point.
In fact, the report adds that if given a chance, the 28-year-old defender would retire at Real Madrid.
Mendy’s contract with Los Merengues expires in 2025 and he is understood to be seeking a renewal for a while now, but there has been no move made by the club.
The injuries that the 28-year-old has picked up are understood to be a major deterrent for Real Madrid, which is why they are already looking to reinforce the left-back position with Alphonso Davies next year.
Mendy enjoys Ancelotti’s trust
Despite the non-stop speculations surrounding him, Mendy continues to enjoy the full trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Indeed, as per the report, the Italian tactician has informed the Frenchman that he is the left-back that best fits the defensive requirements needed in the team.
Ancelotti’s decision to bench Fran Garcia in the UEFA Champions League game even though Mendy was unavailable and start David Alaba at left-back was taken as an indicator within the dressing room that the Frenchman remains the first-choice in the position.
So, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the coming months, especially with Ancelotti’s future also uncertain as his contract expires in 2024.
