Real Madrid News
‘You’re the best of all’: Ancelotti reveals heartfelt message from departing Real Madrid defender
Having already played his final match for Real Madrid, in the game against Athletic Club, Dani Carvajal’s chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu is well and truly over.
He will become a free agent in the coming summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Qatar, potentially joining as a teammate to Joselu at Al Gharafa.
Just days after his Real Madrid farewell, it has been revealed that he reached out to Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who brought him back to the Bernabeu from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013.
Carvajal’s sweet gesture
Carvajal sent Ancelotti a signed Real Madrid shirt bearing the number 2, with a message writte on it.
“Carlo, what a privilege to have had you as my coach. You’re the best of all, but what I’ll remember most is the person you are. I’ve gained a friend for life,” the message read.
Ancelotti responded publicly on social media, posting a photo of the shirt with the caption: “Some things last forever. Thank you, my friend.”
The bond between Carvajal and Ancelotti
The connection between the two runs deep. Ancelotti was the manager who gave Carvajal his second chance at Real Madrid, notably signing him back from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013.
Under his guidance, the full-back went on to win three Champions League titles, including the last one in which he was named MVP of the final.
Together, they formed part of one of the most decorated partnerships between player and manager in the club’s recent history.
Overall, Carvajal featured in 221 games under the Italian, who is currently in charge of the Brazilian team, looking to restore its glory in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
