"That's nonsense." Two words from Carlo Ancelotti, and they carry more weight than most post-match press conferences. The suggestion that Real Madrid's galácticos resist tactical coaches? He's not having it.
Speaking to The Athletic ahead of his World Cup debut with Brazil, Ancelotti pushed back firmly on the idea that stars like those at the Bernabéu reject structured game plans from managers like Xabi Alonso or Rafa Benítez.
"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."
Two Champions League titles in four years tend to back that argument up.
The real problem at Real Madrid
Ancelotti's honest about where Madrid actually struggle — and it's not tactics. It's identity. Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Nacho. Five pillars gone. The dressing room atmosphere those players built, the leadership and character that defined a golden era, doesn't just get replaced in a transfer window.
"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."
That's a more nuanced diagnosis than most will give. And it matters for anyone pricing Madrid in the next Champions League market — this isn't a squad crisis, it's a culture gap that money alone won't close overnight.
He also confirmed he'd be "very happy" if José Mourinho returns to the club, calling him "a great friend" who "can do a fantastic job, like he's always done at every club he's managed." Mourinho, who managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, is reportedly being considered for the role.
Neymar's World Cup hopes: fading fast
On Brazil, Ancelotti says 24 squad places are already effectively decided. The final two are the problem — a shortlist of 10 forwards, not including Neymar, competing for a handful of spots. Igor Thiago, Richarlison and Endrick are reportedly the frontrunners for the remaining attacking berth, while Estêvão's recovery from a Grade III hamstring injury remains a long shot with weeks to go.
Neymar is in a separate, more complicated category entirely. His altercation with Robinho Jr., his absence during Ancelotti's visit to Vila Belmiro, and an alleged media campaign to pressure his own inclusion have not gone down well inside the CBF. Ancelotti has said repeatedly that fitness is the only question — but the off-field noise is exactly what he's trying to keep out of a young squad.
"What we need to evaluate is not whether he can control the ball or pass it, but whether he is physically fit."
Right now, Neymar represents everything Ancelotti says he doesn't want in that dressing room: distraction, pressure, and constant media attention. He reportedly wants one last shot and would accept a backup role. Whether that's enough to change the picture in the next two weeks is another matter entirely.
- Attacking shortlist includes: Igor Thiago, Igor Jesus, Richarlison, João Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Rayan, Pedro, Endrick
- Estêvão's hamstring recovery described as "extremely unlikely" before the squad announcement
- Ancelotti's three favorites for the final forward spot: Igor Thiago, Richarlison, Endrick
Brazil enter the tournament as fifth-place finishers in South American qualifying — not exactly the profile of a favourite. Ancelotti isn't pretending otherwise: "There's no perfect team. Every team has its own problems." France, Spain, Argentina, England, Germany and Portugal are all in the conversation. So are Brazil, just without the comfort of being assumed contenders.
"The team that wins won't be perfect; it will be the strongest team, the one most capable of overcoming its mistakes."
