Real Madrid star Rodrygo has hailed Carlo Ancelotti as a father figure who always has a plan, expressing confidence that Brazilian fans will support the coach's work as the national team prepares to face Japan on Monday.
Ancelotti's Decisive Influence
Rodrygo recalled the 2022 Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, where Ancelotti instructed him to enter the pitch and decide the match. He equalised in the 90th minute and scored again in stoppage time to force extra time, leading Real Madrid to victory and eventually the title.
“I bring up this moment to highlight how important coaches are to a team’s journey and how decisive they are in a player’s career, doing work that often goes unseen by the public,” Rodrygo wrote.
Behind the Scenes
Rodrygo explained that Ancelotti's methods are best understood by players who see the behind-the-scenes reality. “For the press and anyone outside the dressing room, it is hard to predict what he will do. It is natural for them to feel a bit lost trying to understand his mindset, as they might expect him to choose one path and he ends up taking another.”
He emphasised that Ancelotti's choices are well-considered, driven by “phenomenal coherence” and deep tactical knowledge combined with a knack for managing group dynamics.
A Father Figure
“Ancelotti is like a father figure to us. He is a man I admire immensely, as a coach and a person. He talks to us and offers guidance on matters on and off the pitch,” Rodrygo said. He noted that a documentary about Ancelotti is being filmed, which will reveal moments previously kept secret.
Rodrygo also credited his first coach, Eric Goes, who spotted his talent when he was six, and Santos coach Jair Ventura, who promoted him to the first team in 2018 and helped him realise his dream of playing for Real Madrid.
Gratitude and Recovery
Rodrygo expressed gratitude to other mentors including Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Diniz, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa. He is currently recovering from injury and looking forward to playing under José Mourinho at Real Madrid, describing him as “The Special One”.
“In a field as fiercely competitive as football, it is impossible not to look forward to working with a professional known as ‘The Special One’,” he added.
