Brazil

Ancelotti has his say on the Real Madrid dressing room drama: “That’s nonsense!”

With less than a month before his first World Cup game in charge of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti reflected on Real Madrid’s decline and much more.

Eduardo Burgos Rodríguez Simón Escudero

Update: May 13th, 2026 05:29 EDT

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Carlo Ancelotti gave an interview to The Athletic less than a month before making his World Cup debut with Brazil. The Italian revealed he already has most of his squad decided, confirmed Neymar remains part of his plans and reflected on Real Madrid’s disappointing season, while also admitting he nearly signed with the Brazilian Football Confederation in 2023.

Ancelotti backs Mourinho for Madrid

“It hasn’t been a great season for Madrid,” Ancelotti said. The Italian also described José Mourinho as “a great friend” and said he would be “very happy if he returns to Real Madrid.”

“He can do a fantastic job, like he’s always done at every club he’s managed.”

Curiously, the Portuguese coach – who preceded Ancelotti between 2010 and 2013 – could become the next manager of the Spanish giants.

Ancelotti has long been labeled as a man-manager, and he addressed that reputation directly.

“As always, I tried to build a relationship with the person, not the player, because first of all they are people. You’re simply a person who plays soccer. I’ve always been very clear about that,” he explained.

He also pointed to the gradual dismantling of Real Madrid’s old core as one of the club’s biggest current issues.

“The older generation of players has to be rebuilt. In recent years, Madrid lost really important players: Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Nacho. The atmosphere in the squad matters. It comes from players with more character, more personality and more leadership.

“So Real Madrid need time to rebuild that environment in the locker room, which brought them so much success before. It’s not just about technical quality. To succeed, you also have to find the right balance.”

Asked whether the club’s hierarchy understands the situation, Ancelotti answered with a simple “yes,” before adding that Real Madrid is “the club that best understands these kinds of problems.”

When the conversation shifted toward the perception that tactically demanding coaches such as Xabi Alonso or Rafa Benítez often face resistance from Real Madrid’s star players, Ancelotti immediately rejected the idea.

“No… that’s nonsense,” he said.

“That’s not true. The players… when I was there, I had an idea and I tried to discuss it with them to see whether they agreed or not. We even did it before the Champions League final.

“When I have an idea, the player has to be part of it. I don’t want to impose a strategy. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t have one.”

The Brazil head coach insisted Real Madrid’s success under him was built on a clear tactical framework.

“We had a strategy, and a solid one, because we won two Champions League titles in four years. The players were fully committed to following that strategy and that plan.

“The idea that Real Madrid don’t want to follow a strategy isn’t true. Talking to players about tactics was very important in my career because I received many ideas from them.”

He then pointed to Andrea Pirlo as an example.

“When I moved him into defensive midfield at Milan, it was his idea. He told me: ‘Coach, try me as a defensive midfielder. I can do it.’”

For Ancelotti, communication with players is not a weakness but a crucial part of leadership.

“Talking with players isn’t weakness. It’s a very important action because I have to transmit my idea of soccer to them. I don’t want soldiers on the field. I want players who are convinced about what they have to do.”

Real Madrid’s relentless pressure

Ancelotti also reflected on the unique demands that come with managing Real Madrid, where the Champions League remains the club’s obsession.

“Real Madrid won six Champions League titles in 10 years. The key is the expectations the club places on everyone. When you win the Champions League, they congratulate you. But immediately they’re already thinking about how to win the next one.

“That expectation gives you more responsibility, but also more motivation and more focus on what you have to do.”

“This responsibility is an honor… but after 40 years in soccer, I know very well that success or failure with the national team will ultimately define my work.”

How Brazil nearly signed Ancelotti in 2023

Brazil and Ancelotti came close to reaching an agreement in 2023.

“I told them: ‘If I don’t renew with Real Madrid, I can come.’ But in the end I renewed with Madrid. They waited for me, honestly. The CBF waited, and then I signed last year.”

The Italian manager already has 24 players practically locked into his World Cup squad.

“These are the easiest ones,” he explained. “The hardest thing is finding the other two because the competition is very high.”

Among the names still under consideration is Neymar, although Ancelotti stressed the final decision will depend entirely on the forward’s physical condition.

“What we need to evaluate is not whether he can control the ball or pass it, but whether he is physically fit.”

Brazil enters the World Cup after finishing fifth in South American qualifying and is not widely considered among the favorites. Even so, Ancelotti believes his side can challenge anyone.

Ancelotti has his say on the Real Madrid dressing room drama: “That’s nonsense!” — Endrick, Brasil Reprodução / Divulgação

“There are other very competitive teams: France, Spain, Argentina, England, Germany and Portugal. Over the last year I’ve analyzed all of them.

“There’s no perfect team. Every team has its own problems. We have them too. We’re not completely covered in every position. The team that wins won’t be perfect; it will be the strongest team, the one most capable of overcoming its mistakes. Brazil wants to try to win. That is our responsibility.”

Ancelotti’s blessed dilemma in attack

If Ancelotti already had a difficult decision following Rodrygo’s injury, the alternatives available to him have only complicated matters further.

There are four attacking spots available for eight names on a shortlist of 10 players, not including Neymar, whose already slim World Cup hopes have reportedly been further damaged after his controversy involving Robinho Jr.

Despite being included on the CBF’s preliminary list, and with less than two weeks before Ancelotti announces the final squad, Brazil’s forward line is overflowing with options.

A good problem to have.

Brazil’s plans are also heavily dependent on Estêvão’s recovery. The idea is to wait for him until the very end.

The teenager suffered a Grade III hamstring injury but chose to ignore Chelsea’s recommendation to continue rehabilitation in England. Instead, he remained in Brazil alongside Palmeiras’ medical staff in an attempt to pursue conservative treatment and avoid surgery.

If he recovers, he will go to the World Cup. At the moment, though, that possibility appears extremely unlikely. If not, Ancelotti still has plenty of alternatives.

“If you analyze Brazil’s current situation, there are very good defenders, some of the best in the world, very good transition players – wingers, attacking midfielders and also strikers,” Davide Ancelotti told the BBC.

And Brazil’s options certainly reflect that.

The CBF’s shortlist reportedly includes Igor Thiago (Brentford), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Richarlison (Tottenham), João Pedro (Chelsea), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Rayan (Bournemouth), Pedro (Flamengo) and Endrick (Real Madrid/Lyon).

All of them are enjoying excellent form with their clubs and have consistently found the net in recent weeks.

CBF scouts have followed the group closely throughout the season, traveling repeatedly to monitor them in person.

At least two of them appear almost guaranteed a spot. The remaining candidates are fighting for the final place – or possibly two places if Estêvão fails to recover in time.

According to reports, Ancelotti’s three favorites for that last attacking spot are Igor Thiago, Richarlison and Endrick.

The others are viewed more as long-term projects, especially Rayan, whom the federation reportedly sees as part of its plans for the 2030 World Cup.

Neymar’s World Cup dream fading away?

If reaching the World Cup already seemed difficult for Neymar, the latest controversy may have pushed those chances close to impossible.

His altercation with Robinho Jr. placed him under intense scrutiny because of his behavior and, despite Santos publicly backing him, Brazil’s federation is expected to examine the situation closely.

Officials reportedly did not appreciate what they viewed as Neymar’s snub toward Ancelotti during the coach’s visit to Vila Belmiro, where the forward made himself unavailable against Mirassol. There was also frustration over the aggressive marketing campaign Neymar allegedly organized through teammates, former stars and celebrities in an attempt to influence public opinion.

Neymar has reportedly asked for one last opportunity. He would accept a secondary role and fight for a place in the starting lineup.

As Ancelotti sees it, the veteran forward still carries enormous influence inside the locker room and his experience could help manage the younger players.

However, recent incidents and off-field distractions have not been well received internally. Ancelotti wants a locker room free from unnecessary pressure and constant media attention.

At the moment, Neymar represents the opposite.