“The legends of Real Madrid must retire at Real Madrid“, said ancelotti in February. Today, at his 121st press conference of the season and after the tsunami of Benzema, he maintained: “I, Real Madrid and the club think so.” Asked by the Frenchman, he was brief and resounding (“has a contract year; we have no doubts”), but he haggled to talk about kane, his favorite for this market no matter what happens with Karim (“he is a great player, but he belongs to Tottenham and we must respect him… and the club”). He confirmed the return of fran garciabut about Brahimwas enigmatic: “I still can’t say anything”. And he threw a gauntlet for the next season: “I’m sure I’ll do better”.
Press conference
How would you like to end the season?
-Good. We have the challenge of second place, which is not what we wanted at the beginning, but we are going for it. They are all ready to start, except Mariano.
“Would you like Kane to play here next year?”
―(laugh)! You are very interested in what will happen next season, but I am not going to talk about the future of the squad. Kane is a great player, but he belongs to Tottenham and we have to respect… him and the club.
And what about Benzema?
“We have no doubts. The squad for next season, in general, will be different, because some contract is ending; but equally competitive.
―“The legends of Real Madrid must retire at Real Madrid,” he said in February. So, should Benzema retire at Real Madrid?
“Yes, it’s something I keep. And I think it is the thought of Real Madrid and the club. But the players may have other mentalities, such as having longer careers, playing more… but I maintain: that’s what I, the fans and the club think.
“Is Karim going to stay?”
“He’s ready to play tomorrow and he has a one-year contract. We have no doubts.
“Benzema has a one-year contract. We have no doubts”
-Have you asked Nacho and Ceballos to continue?
“They know very well what we think. They have everything very clear and are waiting for the end of the season to decide. Everything is in your hand.
―Was it a mistake to face the final stretch with so much instability in the contracts?
“Everyone has shown their faces and complied. They have played well, they have been serious, very professional. Having only one year of contract has not affected them at all.
―Do you think you have been unfair to any player?
―Some have had little prominence and it is logical that they are not happy. But in this job it is impossible to keep everyone happy. We must endure that feeling, understanding it, but endure it. Some have played very little; I’m sorry.
How are you personally?
“I’m still on that honeymoon I said. I have not had problems with the club; in fact, our relationship has improved. I am happy to continue and I want to do even better.
―Are you worried that the squad will lower its level for next year?
―I repeat: next year’s squad will be very competitive. As was the one of the past course, the one of this and the one of the future. Obviously there are contracts that end and there will be different players. But it will be competitive.
“Nacho and Ceballos? It’s in your hand.”
– What grade is it?
“It has been a hard year, very complicated. (long silence) I have given everything, although sometimes, perhaps, I have not been able to have maximum motivation. It is difficult to have it every three days and with such a demanding schedule. But I am sure that next year I will do better.
“You have already announced the return of Fran García… can you confirm that of Brahim?”
“I think Fran García is back, yes. It is something that escaped me. But about Brahim… I still can’t say anything.