Latest news with #CarloAncelotti
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'You can't settle for average!' - Luka Modric still feels 'the fire inside' as he explains why he picked AC Milan over other offers after leaving Real Madrid
Modric explains why he joined Milan Speaks about his hunger and desire to win titles with new club Croatian left Madrid after spending 13 years Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? If you don't have personality, it's difficult to become a champion. Just ask Modric, who recently arrived at Milan after leaving Real Madrid and is already busy spreading messages as a leader. The Croatian star spoke to Milan TV, relaunching in grand style the ambitions of a Rossoneri side called upon to put last season's disappointments behind them. To do so, they can draw on Modric's character and experience, who is immediately in tune with the Milan universe, strengthened by a passion cultivated since childhood. THE BIGGER PICTURE Modric left Madrid as a bona fide legend after spending 13 years and cementing his place amongst the greatest midfielders of all time. The Croatian wizard's ambition to remain competitive ahead of next year's World Cup saw him take a huge pay cut to join Milan, a club he followed as a kid and considers to be among the most prestigious in Europe. It is widely expected that the 39-year-old will take on a leadership role at the club, wearing the famous No.14 adorned by his ex-manager Carlo Ancelotti. Although his CV speaks volumes about him, Modric won't be taking anything for granted at his new club. "First of all, I come with a lot of respect for everyone: players, coaches and the club in general," the former Spurs man claimed. "I want to bring my hunger to win, help my teammates in every way possible and work hard to earn my place in the team. It's never easy, you have to work hard and fight." WHAT LUKA MODRIC SAID "I wanted to stay in Europe to continue playing competitive football. I had other offers, but when Milan called me, it was clear to me. I wanted it right away," Modric explained. "I was also impressed by the fact that sporting director [Igli] Tare came to Croatia to present the project and everything about Milan to me. It was very important for me; it showed me how much they wanted to bring me here. Milan is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. "You can't be satisfied with being average, you have to set yourself the highest possible goals: winning titles and competing with the best teams in the world. That's why I'm here. "As a child, I watched Serie A a lot, and Milan was my favourite team. At that time, we watched Milan a lot in Croatia because it was one of the most popular clubs in the world. My idol [Zvonimir] Boban was also there. Now I'm very happy to be here and can't wait to start this new adventure. "I always say that the most important thing for me is love: love for the game and for football. I still have it, I feel that fire burning inside me. That's what drives me. Then there's also the fact that I work hard, prepare myself to be at my best and live a healthy lifestyle." WHAT NEXT? Modric will begin pre-season duties and link up with his new team-mates later this month, having been with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup until last weekend. Massimiliano Allegri's men will take on Arsenal, Liverpool, Perth Glory, Leeds United, and Chelsea in summer friendlies before kicking off their Serie A campaign on the penultimate weekend of August.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid defender will complete his Alaves transfer this week
Real Madrid Castilla, as is the case every year, is parting ways with a number of young players whose cycle at the subsidiary division has come to an end. With very few players cut out for the level of the Real Madrid first-team, several young stars are moving out to various Primera and Segunda division clubs. Advertisement As relayed earlier this month, Youssef 'Yusi' Lekhedim is one such player set to leave the club who has attracted interest from the Primera division. Alaves, in particular, have been working hard to secure his arrival for next season. Close to official As confirmed by MARCA in a recent update, the Lekhedim to Deportivo Alaves deal is set to be officially announced this week and is very close to being officially completed. The player will sign for Real Madrid's La Liga rivals for four years. Also included in the deal is a buy-back clause for Real Madrid which will be active for the next two seasons. Advertisement The 19-year-old defender made Carlo Ancelotti's squad list on several occasions last season but did not make his debut for the first team. He played 35 games with the Castilla side in the RFEF Primera Division scoring one goal and providing four assists. The Spanish-Moroccan left-back, at this point, has little to no hope of making it big in the first team especially after the club officially announced the signing of Alvaro Carreras. After all, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia are also in contention for the starting spot under Xabi Alonso. With the agreement reached and almost all formalities completed, the player will thus look to garner more minutes at his new club to continue his growth and make a case for Real Madrid to call him back.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid forward closing in on Elche switch
Carlo Ancelotti's tenure at Real Madrid, by far, earned the club several accolades and successes. However, his lack of faith in youngsters saw the academy talents overlooked and barely ever given a chance. Advertisement Alvaro Rodriguez was one of the few young players who did manage to make an impression and earn a debut under Ancelotti. In fact, he even went on to score against Atletico Madrid on debut. Even that impressive achievement, however, did not convince the manager and he did not see minutes. Eventually, Rodriguez left for Getafe on loan. Earlier this week, the player spoke openly about how he was done waiting for the first-team call that will never come, saying, 'I think I have to leave. I can't wait much longer for the first team.' Departure around the corner As relayed by MARCA in a recent update, the 21-year-old striker is indeed closing in on an exit from the club as he nears a move to Elche. Advertisement The Primera division club are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Real Madrid over Rodriguez's transfer. Alvaro Rodriguez is close to moving to Elche. (Photo by) There are still some doubts over the minor details of the deal but the issue is well underway and expected to reach a culmination in the coming days. A departure is indeed the best option on the youngster's table for succeeding in the first team as a striker, at this point, is close to impossible. No place in Alonso's squad For starters, Xabi Alonso's system only places two forwards on the field of which Kylian Mbappe acts as a striker of sorts. Advertisement The centre forward position then faces pre-existing competition from Endrick – who is touted to be the next big striker in world football – and Gonzalo Garcia who impressed in the recent FIFA Club World Cup. It remains to be seen if Real Madrid receive a sizeable fee for Rodriguez's transfer and whether they retain any buyback clause or percentage of his rights. If their recent transactions with academy talents are anything to go by, one of the two aforementioned clauses will be included.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid sign Benfica's Carreras to continue summer rebuild
Real Madrid moved for Benfica's Alvaro Carreras to continue their extensive rebuild this summer (MIGUEL RIOPA) Real Madrid signed defender Alvaro Carreras from Benfica on a six-year deal, the Spanish giants said on Monday. The 22-year-old Spanish left-back, who played for Madrid's youth academy before joining Manchester United in 2020, is reported to have cost close to 50 million euros ($58 million). Advertisement "Real Madrid and Benfica have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alvaro Carreras, who will be under contract with our club for the next six seasons, until 30 June 2031," said Los Blancos in a statement. The defender played 62 times for Benfica, scoring five goals for the club, including an initial loan spell before they signed him for six million euros from United in 2024. Carreras becomes Madrid's fourth signing of a significant summer rebuild after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono, at an estimated cost of around 170 million euros in transfer fees. After finishing last season without a major trophy coach Carlo Ancelotti departed and was replaced by Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard steered Madrid to the Club World Cup semi-finals but they were hammered 4-0 by runners-up Paris Saint-Germain. rbs/iwd
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Real Madrid Puts Brazilian Up For Sale And Attracts Liverpool
Real Madrid has put one of its Brazilian stars up for sale and attracted the interest of Premier ... More League giant Liverpool according to AS and COPE, which cited anonymous sources. Real Madrid has put one of its Brazilian stars up for sale and attracted the interest of Premier League giant Liverpool according to AS and COPE, which cited anonymous sources. No matter what happens to him, Rodrygo should go down as a modern day legend for Los Blancos thanks to his important goals in the Champions League - especially in 2022. He could leave the club a two-time winner of the elite European competition thanks to his medals earned in the mentioned year and 2024, however last season ended on a sour note at the Bernabeu. Snubbed in El Clasico as Madrid lost 4-3 to bitter rival FC Barcelona in Montjuic in May, and therefore ceded all three domestic titles to the Catalans, Rodrygo reportedly never wanted to play for Madrid again and had refused to do so. There was no direct beef with Carlo Ancelotti, who has now gone on to manage Rodrygo's national team Brazil. But it was said that Rodrygo had decided to stay after being impressed by the Italian's replacement Xabi Alonso, who also indicated that the Brazilian would feature in his plans when first taking over the reins. Actions speak louder than words, however, and at the Club World Cup, Rodrygo was frozen out in favour of attackers such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Gonzalo Garcia. His days seem numbered in the Spanish capital, and the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich are being linked to the Santos academy product. In recent days, though, Liverpool seems to have enered the race for Rodrygo according to AS. COPE reported that Rodrygo is currently worth $117 million (€100 million) to whoever wants him, but AS said that his price has dropped to what is still a pretty high $105 million (€90 million). Perhaps before the 2025/2026 La Liga season kicks off, Rodrygo will no longer be in the Spanish top flight after enjoying six successful seasons there. Endrick could also be headed for a Real Madrid exit Similarly having his trajectory minutes complicated by Garcia, Endrick could also be headed for a Real Madrid exit - though probably only on loan, temporarily, to gain experience elsewhere.
