Real Madrid watched with careful anticipation as Pep Guardiola’s arrival loomed, while talk of Erling Haaland joining Madrid sparked conversations about what could lie ahead. Carlo Ancelotti spent months weighing final possibilities for the Cup, and a trusted circle of colleagues carried that pressure from the training ground to the locker room. Earlier in February, a seasoned observer joked, with a hint of truth, that Osasuna and Real Madrid might meet in the La Cartuja final. Weeks later, during the season’s toughest moments, he sent a decisive message to the doubters when Madrid survived a perilous run after an early cup setback to Barcelona and a home draw with Atlético. The team’s core remained steady, driven by a noble resolve to push through.
Message to the crew from Ancelotti
“If we win, we will have collected every major trophy a club can win in just two years. Many cannot claim that because they have not done it,” the Madrid coach reminded the squad before the cup clash with Barcelona. The moment carried heavy weight as it came just before news that could shape his future on the Madrid bench.
With this backdrop, Ancelotti revealed a long standing debate surrounding the club: the challenge of balancing the circle. Whatever unfolds against Manchester City in the Champions League or the decision about his future at the end of the season, lifting the trophy would mean finishing all official competitions with Real Madrid and marking a rare triumph in this second tenure. Ancelotti is known for setting short, tangible goals and savoring the journey, celebrating achievable milestones along the way.
The captain’s chair at Real Madrid has always carried pressure. The club’s president, Florentino Pérez, has often spoken of galactic ambitions that chase multiple crowns. Yet Ancelotti views the Cup as a deeply meaningful football competition—one that tests character and cohesion as much as skill and persistence.
How Ancelotti avoided Florentino’s flirtation with Pochettino
During that period, the locker room stood in the spotlight for its potential to rewrite history. The current squad had seldom claimed the King’s Cup in recent memory. Only a few players—Nacho, Carvajal, Modric, and Benzema—had previously lifted the trophy. Now, with renewed opportunity, the team could also write a firsts-to-records moment for Toni Kroos, who has collected nearly every major club title except this one. Kroos’s pursuit of silverware has become a driving narrative as he nears the end of a storied career that could culminate in a 2024 farewell if the latest contract unfolds as planned.
Over the years, Ancelotti has shown a disciplined, ambitious approach. He was not the club’s initial choice to replace Zidane; other coaches turned down offers, and Pérez ultimately lured him from Everton, signaling a fresh chapter for Real Madrid. He publicly expressed gratitude to Everton and its supporters, yet the challenge ahead at Madrid proved irresistible.
There was a sense that the circle could be squared and then perhaps shifted toward Brazil, as rumors swirled about a possible national team offer. Still, Ancelotti has long made clear that Real Madrid would be his final stop, a stance that matches his philosophy of finishing strong and leaving a lasting mark. A close ally and respected colleague, Jagoba Arrasate, has been admired for his coaching acumen, and the two share a mutual respect that underscores the strategic balance within the club.
Square the circle and then… Brazil?
Even the most optimistic observers did not foresee Ancelotti reaching this level of urgency so quickly. The President’s vision and part of the club’s broader plan faced scrutiny, yet the moment of truth would reveal whether the trophy would serve as the culmination of Ancelotti’s Madrid arc. If the cup is claimed, it would crystallize a plan that prioritizes sustained excellence and a clear sense of purpose for the next season. Whatever the next steps, the focus remains on delivering results and honoring a remarkable coaching journey at Real Madrid. The decision on continuity would follow the trophy, reflecting a pragmatic view of what the club seeks in the near term. The path forward is measured, not reckless, and the goal remains to finish the season with pride and clear momentum for the future.