There isn’t a manager who knows Real Madrid better, and likely there won’t be one in the near future. Carlo Ancelotti is a devoted Madrid supporter who has even spoken about retiring in Brazil, yet he renewed his contract through 2026 as a reward for the trust he demonstrated in a squad that faced numerous changes during the first part of the season.

Injuries altered the design, but they did not undermine the effectiveness of his methods. Blind faith in available resources defined his approach, a struggle that kept the club from dropping more than one league position behind the pace against Atletico in the opening stretch. The same resilience will be tested until the season’s final results are known.

Vinicius, Carvajal and Arda Güler Return

Even with long-term injuries to Militao and Alaba that could have toppled any defensive structure, Ancelotti stayed firm with his opening lineup for the year and his renewal. “For now we are not considering another center back. We are down two crucial players, but we trust Nacho and Rudiger,” the Italian coach explained. “Tchouaméni and Carvajal can handle emergencies,” he noted, convincing even skeptics of position changes to remain confident in the plan.

Public reactions from players like Rodrygo or Camavinga were mixed when asked about their shifts to striker or winger roles. Yet these departures from the original script already reveal the coach’s Socratic approach with a core group where the answers grow stronger. The sense that the worst is behind them persists, though the injury timetable still shadows the club. Ancelotti kept the focus on the bigger picture and stayed calm about the hurdles.

Furthermore, Carvajal, Vinicius and Arda Güler are scheduled to return against Mallorca (Wednesday at 19:15). “We cannot compare the three players’ situations. Güler’s absence is longer,” Ancelotti said. “Carvajal will start, and I haven’t decided yet about Vinicius. I need to consult with the player and the medical team. He has looked very good in training,” the coach added, and did not want to rush the Turkish talent back into peak tempo.

“I don’t know if Brazil wants me in 2026”

Before making his debut, the young star voiced frustration with relapses: “He’s very young and has time to grow with us. If I give him minutes, he’ll take them. If not, another match will.” The immediate task was clear: secure the new bench option, which he described as potentially the last bench. His sarcasm when asked if that referred to club or national team benches was not hidden.

“I don’t know if Brazil wants me in 2026. I don’t know if they’re pleased with my decision,” he joked. Or perhaps not. He noted that discussions with Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, had taken place, though Rodrigues’ tenure had its complications. He stressed that everything depended on Real Madrid and that clarity with his club mattered most. It was all about making the situation understood by everyone involved.

Renovation? “Endrick is very good”

Clarifying ties with Latin America, Ancelotti stated plainly that his affection for the continent remains strong, but the plan was always to stay with Real Madrid. The future of several players was still up in the air, with contract decisions looming for a few veterans. “There are players whose contracts have expired, but they must decide for themselves. Kroos, Nacho, Modric… The future is already set, there isn’t much to do. It seems early,” he observed.

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Denis Iglesias

It reads like a script written in advance, yet it’s still playing out in real time. The club is on a strong trajectory with promising young talent, and another key piece might arrive soon with Endrick joining in the future. The philosophy remains unchanged: maintain faith in the present squad while embracing emerging talents. Mbappé’s name remains a topic of speculation, while Saudi competition and LaLiga’s evolving regulations add a constant layer of pressure. The takeaway is simple: Real Madrid believes in the cohort already in place, and any new addition will align with that vision, as reported by Denis Iglesias. The coach’s stance is consistent: trust in the talented youth and in Endrick’s arrival as a pivotal part of the plan, reinforcing his legacy as a steady hand on the Real Madrid bench.