Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that Real Madrid will not participate in the FIFA Club World Cup because what they received from the organizing committee did not correspond to the club’s expectations. Today, on June 10th, Carlo Ancelotti celebrates his 65th birthday. Prior to this, he received significant gifts in the form of La Liga and Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
The Italian coach expressed that he still retains the ambition to conquer the pinnacle of world football.
I’ve told my kids (including the players): ‘Dad isn’t old yet, Dad doesn’t feel anything in these years,’” Coach Ancelotti discussed with his hometown newspaper Il Giornale.
Ancelotti asserted that he is not old in his profession: “I continue to live with passion, matches, competitions, and my work.
I’ve overcome difficult moments; after my experience at Everton, I stayed away from the spotlight, they said I was old, just like they did at Napoli.”
In the conversation with Il Giornale, the coach with 5 Champions League titles declared that Real Madrid would not participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The reason he gave was that the value of Real Madrid far exceeds that of the tournament. FIFA sees European champions and other prestigious clubs as money-making tools.
“FIFA can forget about that. The clubs and players will not participate in that tournament,” Ancelotti declared.
He continued: “A match of Real Madrid is worth 20 million euros, and FIFA wants to divide that figure for the entire tournament. Like us, some clubs will decline the invitation.”
Real Madrid, as the reigning Champions League winner, naturally has a spot in the new edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. The inaugural season is set to take place in the United States in 2025.
Although the FIFA Club World Cup significantly increases prize money, it has been criticized for forcing players to play more matches, leading to the risk of overload and injury.
From the club’s office, representatives of Real Madrid support Ancelotti’s viewpoint. The club will only participate in the tournament if the bonuses and television rights are distributed more fairly.