Ancelotti Reveals Real Madrid Will Be His Last Club, Tips Vinícius for Ballon d’Or
Carlo Ancelotti has made a bold statement, confirming that Real Madrid will be the last club of his coaching career. The Italian manager, who has won the Champions League a record five times with the Spanish giants, is set to remain at the Bernabéu until June 2026, when he’ll be 67 years old.
In an exclusive interview with the Obi One Podcast, Ancelotti expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to manage such a prestigious club, stating, "If there is an opportunity for a national team, I don’t know. I’m not so excited at coaching a national team because I would lose what I like most, the day-to-day. I really enjoy what I’m doing."
Ancelotti’s words come as no surprise, given his impressive track record at the Bernabéu. Under his guidance, Real Madrid have won LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup. His fifth Champions League title in 2022 extended his record as the most successful coach in the competition’s history.
One player who has greatly benefited from Ancelotti’s guidance is Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian forward, who scored six goals and set up five more in 10 Champions League appearances last season, is the Italian manager’s tip for the Ballon d’Or. Ancelotti believes Vinícius’s impressive form and young age make him a strong contender for the prestigious award.
"He’s a talented player, and he did really well last season," Ancelotti said. "It’s true that Carvajal did very well too. Carvajal won the league, the Champions League, scoring in the final, and won the European Championship [with Spain]. But Vinícius is young, talented, he has a good image… He won the league and won the Champions League, scoring twice in the semifinal and scoring in the final."
Ancelotti also praised other Real Madrid players, including Jude Bellingham, who had a "fantastic season." The Italian manager is excited about the team’s prospects, thanks to the arrival of new signings like Endrick and Kylian Mbappé.
"We have built a fantastic squad," Ancelotti said. "When Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018, year after year we were able to bring in fantastic young players. Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Valverde, then Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Arda Güler, and now Kylian Mbappé. We have a fantastic squad, with fantastic young talent. But the key point is the spirit that the veterans are able to keep in the squad, like Carvajal… This connection was really good to have success in the last few years."
As for Mbappé’s adaptation to the team, Ancelotti is confident that the French superstar will fit in seamlessly. "I think it will not be a problem," he said. "The key point is that every player has to put his talent at the service of the team and the teammates. For Kylian Mbappé, it will be exactly the same."
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