Carlo Ancelotti, coach of the Brazilian national team, affirmed that Real Madrid players “Vinicius Junior” and “Rodrygo” are in excellent physical condition before the friendly match against Senegal.
The Brazilian national team is preparing to face its Senegalese counterpart this Saturday in London, as part of the “Seleção’s” preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
In pre-match statements, Ancelotti said: “We must continue to develop to be ready for the World Cup.”
He added: “I am satisfied with what we have presented so far, but we are also aware of the mistakes we have made. Now we can make mistakes, but in the World Cup, any mistake could cost us our exit.”
Regarding the possibility of involving “Vinicius” and “Rodrygo” together, Ancelotti said: “Of course we can do that, as they are used to playing together at Real Madrid. I see them in good shape and at a very high physical level. I am sure that they will offer a lot to the national team.”
Regarding his conversation with “Vinicius” during the national team’s training this week, he said: “I talk to all the players, as it is important to understand their way of thinking, whether on a tactical or personal level.”
He explained: “You have to ask them and understand how they feel, and this is an essential part of the job.”
He stressed: “I will not force any player to play in a position he does not want to, I want them to play where they feel comfortable. My conversation with “Vinicius” was not about positions, but about a personal rather than a tactical issue.”
He concluded: “The atmosphere is excellent, and it is wonderful to work in such an environment to achieve the highest possible level.”
Ancelotti left Real Madrid training at the end of the current season, to be replaced by the Spaniard “Xabi Alonso”.
His departure from Real Madrid
Ancelotti, who is considered one of the most successful coaches in the history of Real Madrid after winning 15 titles, including three Champions League titles, affirmed that his departure from the Spanish club last summer to take charge of the Brazilian national team was a well-considered decision and an unforgettable feeling, despite the difficulty of leaving the “Meringues”.
Ancelotti said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “AS”: “I knew that this day would come someday. I thought a lot before making the decision, and the day of farewell was very emotional. We exchanged a big hug with the Madrid fans, and it was the best possible day to leave. Coaching Brazil is a great challenge and a beautiful dream. I am happy with what I am doing now, I made the right decision.”
The Italian coach, who left a lasting legacy in Madrid, recalled his most prominent moments with the team, stressing that those years were amazing not only because of the titles, but because of the path to achieving them: “We lived exceptional moments. The Champions League comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich will not be forgotten. Real Madrid is something that cannot be explained.”
Ancelotti responded to those who describe him as just a “dressing room manager,” saying firmly: “People talk about my management of the players, but my primary job was tactical most of the time. We worked hard to integrate young players such as Vinicius, Rodrygo, Valverde and Bellingham. Saying that I am just a team manager is a lie. It is true that I am keen on a clean and healthy environment, but the essence of my work is the tactical side.”
He also commented on the last unsuccessful season with Real Madrid, stressing that defensive injuries were the main reason: “We lost almost the entire defense, from Carvajal to Militão, and even Rüdiger suffered from problems. We had to experiment with players in positions other than their own, such as Valverde and Tchouaméni. This made us lose balance and cost us titles. The problem was not the absence of Kroos or Modrić, but replacing them is almost impossible.”
Ancelotti praised his successor in coaching Real Madrid, “Xabi Alonso”, who he had previously coached at Bayern Munich, saying: “I was confident in his success, and he does not need my advice. I watch every Real Madrid match to follow the Brazilian players, and I see him leading the team wonderfully. But he must remember that in Madrid, even a draw can turn into a crisis.”
The legendary coach concluded his talk optimistically about the future of the team under the leadership of “Alonso,” saying: “The team is cohesive defensively and strong offensively, Mbappé is in excellent condition and Bellingham has returned strongly. I think Xabi will achieve success without any doubt.”
A Legendary Career
Carlo Ancelotti, one of the greatest coaches in football history, combines deep experience and the ability to manage stars, making his name synonymous with success in all the teams he has led. Ancelotti was born on June 10, 1959, in the city of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and began his career as a distinguished midfielder, playing for several major Italian clubs, most notably Roma and AC Milan. During his career as a player, Carlo Ancelotti was distinguished by his tactical intelligence, his ability to read matches, and his accurate passes, qualities that later helped him in his coaching career.
Ancelotti moved from the world of players to the world of coaching in the early nineties of the last century, where his career began with the Italian club Reggina. He quickly proved his ability to lead teams, which allowed him to move to bigger clubs such as Parma, Fiorentina and Juventus, before heading to Milan in 2001. Here began a key stage in his coaching career, where he led Milan to achieve dazzling European achievements, most notably the Champions League title in 2003, after a dramatic match against Juventus, and another title in 2007, making Ancelotti one of the most prominent coaches capable of excelling in major European tournaments.
In 2009, Ancelotti moved to Chelsea, adding the Premier League title and the FA Cup to his record of achievements, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and winning the French League title with them. His ambition did not stop there, as he took over the coaching of Real Madrid in two different periods, writing his name in golden letters in the history of the Spanish club. During his two periods with Real Madrid, Ancelotti led the team to win three Champions League titles, in addition to achieving the Spanish League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles, becoming the most crowned coach in the history of the club, with a total of 15 official titles.
Ancelotti’s coaching philosophy is characterized by the ability to combine tactical flexibility and the management of big personalities. He is able to achieve harmony between the team’s stars, while maintaining the team’s distinguished collective performance, which has made him a popular coach among players and administrations alike. In addition, Ancelotti is known for his ability to adjust plans during the match, and rely on a balanced attacking style of play, which has earned him the reputation of a modern coach who balances tactics and pushing the stars.
