Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti does not pay much attention to current speculation that Vinícius Júnior could leave the club this summer and play in Saudi Arabia.
According to several reports, the Saudi Pro League has been trying to bring the Brazilian international to the country since last summer and is ready to make Vinícius the best paid football player in the world.
“Yes, I am tired of this subject, but I am not worried,” said Ancelotti on Friday when he asked him questions about these reports. “I see him happy and we are satisfied with him. There is nothing more to add with regard to what I said a week ago. This is not a subject that we discuss here, he (Vinícius) do not discuss it. “
Vinícius, who is in his seventh season in Madrid, said After the victory of Tuesday 3-2 at the Champions League at Manchester City, he hoped to conclude an agreement with Madrid in the coming days to continue the club beyond 2027.
“All I can tell you is what I see here, he is happy, eager to do things well and make history with the club,” said Ancelotti. “I see the same Vinícius as always, very eager to do things well.”
Ancelotti said he was “not aware” that the Real Madrid club officials are bored by the way Vinícius manages the situation in Saudi Arabia.
A source told ESPN this week that the agents of Vinícius had informed Madrid of their client’s financial requests if he wanted to continue the club beyond 2027.
According to La Source, Vinícius wants to earn more than Kylian MbappéThe best -paid player of the club, although he recently received an important bonus after winning the prize for the best male player in FIFA in December.
Vinícius helped Madrid win two Champions League titles and three Laliga crowns. He finished second in the vote for the Ballon d’Or 2024, behind the Métoil de field de Manchester City Stem.
Vinícius, 24, was elected player of the match in Tuesday’s match despite not having marked. He provided two assists and five key passes during the meeting at the Etihad stadium.
“He did very well in the last game,” said Ancelotti. “I see him very motivated especially after what he did in the match against City because he had a lot of pressure before this match and he resisted this pressure by making a difference. He will continue to do well because He starts getting good physical shape after injuries. “
Ancelotti, on the other hand, said that he did not think that Saudi Pro League is a threat to European clubs now, but that could be in the future.
“He shouldn’t surprise us that a country wants to invest in football,” he said. “Saudi Arabia has the right to prepare for the 2034 World Cup.
“It is a market that could be less competitive now than in Europe, but in the future it could be as competitive as Europe.”
When he was asked if he planned to train in Saudi Arabia, Ancelotti said: “Why not, if I want to continue in football. The question if I want to continue (coach) after leaving Real Madrid.”
The Ancelotti contract with Madrid expires in 2026.
The leaders of Laliga Madrid play Osasuna on Saturday before welcoming Manchester City during the return leg of the Champions League eliminations on Wednesday.
“We are very motivated,” said Ancelotti.
“We want to keep our position at the top of the table. The good things we have done against City, we have to redo them against Osasuna. Our team understands very well when the moment is crucial and when they have to give 100%.”
