Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster names Luka Modric and Neymar as his idols
Despite starting two games on the bench, Rodrygo Goes has been one of Brazil’s standout players in the Word Cup. His red-hot cameos earned him a start against Cameroon, but the game, unfortunately, ended in a loss for the Selecao.
The 21-year-old is yet to score and has provided one assist so far in the competition, averaging two shots and one key pass per game.
He recently gave an interview (h/t GOAL Italia) in which he spoke about his role models in both club and country setups.
The Brazilian winger shed light on his special bond with Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and how the Croatian international served as a guide and role model for him.
“I talk a lot with Modric. I ask him for advice and observe his way of moving. He is a player I focus on a lot, a reference.”
Having the support and trust of the dressing room goes a long way in helping a young talent blossom without pressure. Rodrygo revealed how Brazil icon Neymar served that role in the national team.
“Neymar congratulated me at the end of the match vs. Cameroon. He told me to continue like this despite the defeat and to not think about what happened. To leave it behind and look forward.”
The Real Madrid starlet has never hidden his admiration for Neymar and has openly called him his role model. In his recent interview, he reiterated the same one again saying,
“Neymar showed so much confidence in me before the game vs. Cameroon. He’s a teacher and he is my idol. It’s an honour to play with him.”
Opening up on the loss to Cameroon and how it impacts the team’s mindset going further into the tournament, Rodrygo added:
“The defeat against Cameroon has a positive interpretation: it puts us on notice and serves as a lesson. It’s good that it happened in a match that mattered relatively less.
“With Korea, it will be a very difficult match. In June we faced them in a friendly and it ended in a goal glut, but the match was more difficult than the result says.”
Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could renew contract with Real Madrid if he wins the Champions League – report
The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hinges on several factors and journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that if Real Madrid do not sack him at the end of the season, the Italian will continue to serve the team at least until his current contract, which runs until 2024.
Furthermore, the report also states that Ancelotti could even be handed a contract extension if he leads the team to the UEFA Champions League triumph once again.
It is more than evident that Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future is far from certain. Ever since the managerial role at the Brazilian national team opened up, the 63-year-old is being pursued by the South American team.
Cortegana writes that even though Ancelotti is quite happy at Real Madrid, there remains a possibility that he will, indeed, accept the Brazil role if he were to leave the Spanish capital city as he sees this job as an appealing end to his managerial career.
At Real Madrid, he knows that he will have to keep winning trophies and this season, the La Liga honour is more or less lost. But with the possibility of winning the UEFA Champions League still open, Cortegana has reported that if the Italian does, in fact, succeed at winning the European crown, he might end up renewing his deal with the team.
At the moment, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is trying to keep a respectful distance, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that they have made him their absolute priority.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
“Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career,” he added.
Ancelotti is aware that Brazil want him and Brazil know Ancelotti is ready to join, but everything hinges on what happens with Real Madrid this season.
If they end up winning the Champions League or even if Madrid decided to stick with him until his contract expires [2024], Brazil will be forced to look for alternatives. If not, one can expect the Italian to be the new head coach of the Seleçao.
