Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied having any contact with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) about potentially taking over as boss of the five-time World Cup winners.
The CBF is reportedly looking at possible alternatives to current Brazil coach Dorival Junior after the Selecao were thrashed 4-1 by arch rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Brazil have won just one of their last four matches and have lost five of their 14 matches in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, though they are still extremely likely to be one of the six automatic qualifiers from South America.
Still, Dorival finds himself under significant pressure and the resumption of speculation around a potential pursuit of Ancelotti led to the Italian being asked about the rumours ahead of Madrid’s meeting with Leganes on Saturday.
But asked if the CBF had been in touch, Ancelotti was blunt, replying: “No. They simply have not.
“My contract is clear, I have nothing more to add. I have great affection for the Brazil National Team, their players and their fans, but I have a contract with Real Madrid.”
Former Madrid striker and Brazil legend Ronaldo recently claimed he had been involved in previous talks between the CBF and Ancelotti.
But Ancelotti disputed that version of events.
“I don’t remember talking about that with him,” Ancelotti added. “I’ve discussed many things with Ronaldo, but that I don’t remember.”
Madrid forward Vinicius Junior played the full 90 minutes for Brazil in their dismal defeat in Buenos Aires, but Ancelotti refused to offer any indication of whether he will be rested for Leganes’ visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“We’ll see,” Ancelotti said of that possibility. “He’s back and he trained well, he’s in pretty good condition.
“We have lots of games and I have the option to rotate, although most players are feeling pretty good. You’ll see the lineup tomorrow.”
Madrid are three points behind Barcelona in the race for LaLiga. The Blaugrana thumped Madrid 4-0 in October and also boast a substantial edge in goal difference.
The Clasico at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on May 11 could yet decide the destination of the title, and Ancelotti sees plenty of reason for optimism as his side try to overhaul the deficit.
“LaLiga is not over,” he insisted. “Barcelona hold the advantage but we have to play the Clasico and there are lots of games still to come.
“We have to do all we can, starting tomorrow. There are 13 games left, which could increase to 17. I hope that’s the case because it would mean we’re fighting in every competition right until the end.”
