Carlo Ancelotti opens up on becoming Real Madrid’s most decorated coach of all time

Carlo Ancelotti’s huge smile during the trophy presentation might be, to the untrained eye, something normal. Winning a piece of silverware at any level is a worthy achievement and more so at Real Madrid, where each moment of success serves to cement their image as the world’s greatest club.

But for those who see Ancelotti speak every week would hesitate if I called his actions on the touchlines of Europe ‘performances’, as the Italian coach remains one of football’s most reserved and humble figures the world over. Which is exactly why this smile, after Real Madrid beat Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final, was so refreshing.

And there was a good reason behind the grin: Ancelotti had just become Real Madrid’s most successful ever coach.

In the game, Real Madrid went ahead in the first half thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé. The Spanish side went into the break with the advantage before Rodrygo Goes struck from distance to double the lead.

Despite the Liga MX team’s best efforts, they couldn’t keep up their high intensity performance from the opening stages and eventually dropped off; after Lucas Vázquez was brought down in the box with just a few minutes to go, ‘The Best’ winner Vini Jr slotted past Carlos Moreno from the spot to seal the result.

‘We have to think about 2025′

“It feels very good, obviously”, he said after the game when asked about his emotions following the ultimately comfortable victory in Qatar. “We are very happy; I am very happy. It’s something very important. We closed out 2024 in a spectacular way - we couldn’t have done more. But, as always at Real Madrid, now we have to think about 2025.

As for having won a record 15 trophies at Los Blancos, Ancelotti admitted that he “enjoyed it very much”.

“Looking back and seeing that I have won so much, for so many years, makes me happy. I am happy. But I always bear in mind what Real Madrid is: a club that demands spectacular concentration. We must continue for more“.

Real Madrid’s most successful coaches:

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