Ancelotti bids farewell to Real Madrid with a serious expression: "The club will release a statement whenever it wants."

A serious Carlo Ancelotti appeared before the media ahead of their match at the Santiago Bernabéu against Mallorca, 24 hours after being confirmed as Brazil's national team manager and 48 after losing his fourth Clásico of the season and ending his hopes of winning the league title. Many factors for a manager who had a contract with Real Madrid until June 2026. "From the 26th, I will be Brazil's manager," the Italian confirmed in the second question of the press conference.

The current Real Madrid manager has revealed that his departure from the club was a "common decision," but maintained that his focus will remain on the three remaining La Liga matches for the team "where he was happy." "I'm very happy. If I didn't have the press conference today, it would be a fantastic day because I have to explain things I don't want to explain. I have the Real Madrid shirt until the 25th, and I want to respect it until the last day," he noted, pointing to the club's crest.

His words contrasted with the coach's serious and somewhat curt expression regarding the 17 questions he received at the press conference regarding his professional future. "I've never felt that Real Madrid didn't want me. They still want me even if I leave on the 25th. They'll always show me affection. I couldn't be Real Madrid's manager forever," he said. "I never in my life thought I'd be managing Real Madrid for six years," he added.

The coach hasn't questioned the timing of the announcement as the future leader of the Canarinha bench, nor has he questioned the fact that his current club has yet to issue a statement on the matter. "Real Madrid will release a statement whenever they want, no problem. I don't know. They will do it in due time. Just like the CBF did yesterday," he noted.

With Xabi Alonso already waiting to take over at the Club World Cup, the Italian has had to navigate more contractual and speculative issues than purely footballing ones. "I have a lot of affection for Xabi, but I don't have any advice to give him because he has all the tools to be a great coach," he praised the man who was his protégé in his first Champions League win as Real Madrid manager.

Rodrygo Case

Another thorny issue the Italian has had to address is the Rodrygo case. The Brazilian left Real Madrid's training session minutes after the start of training, accompanied by club doctor Daniel Rosado , with a clear expression of annoyance after his absence from the match against Celta due to illness and not even appearing in the Clásico.

The Italian has asserted that he never fully recovered from the feverish period he had last week and explained that his withdrawal from training was due to a muscle injury. "Everyone has a lot of affection for Rodrygo , and I especially do," he responded, addressing the speculation that has swirled in recent days.

The Italian responded after the match at Montjuïc that "he wasn't feeling well and wasn't at his best." "There's nothing else, I have zero problems with him," he added. With Vinicius out with a sprained ankle, the Brazilian was the leading candidate to partner Kylian Mbappé in attack at the Bernabéu.

Thus, there are 10 absences, especially among the defensive line, which the Italian coach will have to face in the duel against an island team that is playing for European qualification, despite having won only one of its last four matches. With Tchouameni suspended, the Whites have no first-team center backs available except for Vallejo, who is not in Ancelotti's plans.