If Tuesday was a tough day at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground, Wednesday only made things worse. The club was already hit hard by the confirmed suspensions of Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez, along with fresh injury setbacks for Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, and David Alaba.
But just when things couldn’t seem any more complicated, the drama surrounding manager Carlo Ancelotti’s future has added another layer of pressure and tension.
According to reporters Alfredo Matilla and Rodra P, Wednesday morning’s training session was far from normal.
The ongoing speculation about Ancelotti’s rumored move to manage the Brazil national team has become a serious distraction at the club.
The Italian manager arrived late to the training session after flying back from London, where he had been in discussions with officials from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to finalize the details of his potential new role.
However, later that same evening, new reports emerged suggesting the move may now be in jeopardy, creating even more confusion and uncertainty at the club. By the time the squad gathered for training on Wednesday morning, the tension in the air was evident. Players and staff alike were preoccupied with the Ancelotti saga rather than the pressing football matters at hand.
With just five La Liga matches remaining, including a decisive El Clásico showdown, as well as the upcoming Club World Cup, the timing of the situation could not be worse. Many within the club are beginning to question whether Ancelotti’s focus is truly on the job. There’s growing frustration, with some insiders wondering how he can continue to motivate the team to push for the title while his attention appears to be split between Madrid and Brazil.
Concerns over the coach’s future have reportedly been lingering since Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal. Instead of focusing on tactics and match preparation, conversations behind closed doors were increasingly centered on whether Ancelotti would stay or leave.
The situation escalated further when Diego Rodrigues, a representative from the CBF, was spotted at key matches — including the ones against Arsenal and Barcelona — sparking speculation and unease among the staff and players.
Sources inside Valdebebas admit that trust and unity have been shaken. While there’s still a collective desire to finish the season with pride and dignity, the possibility of a sudden managerial exit cannot be completely ruled out.
Amid all of this, Real Madrid must try to stay on track, especially as they continue to chase Barcelona, who currently sit four points ahead in the La Liga standings.
