Vancouver, Canada: Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti recently made a bold statement regarding the club’s participation in FIFA’s new Club World Cup tournament. Ancelotti expressed that Real Madrid and other clubs would be opting out of the competition due to financial concerns, despite the event featuring 32 teams from various continents.
While the revamped FIFA Club World Cup seeks to emulate the success of prestigious club competitions like the Champions League, Madrid, a qualified team, has decided against taking part in the forthcoming tournament. Ancelotti highlighted the significant financial disparity between what FIFA is offering and the actual value of participating in such a major event.
The Italian newspaper Il Giornale published an interview where Ancelotti revealed Madrid’s decision to sit out the tournament. He emphasized that the club and its players would not be willing to compromise on the financial aspect, given the substantial value they bring to each game.
The new Club World Cup format, announced in 2022, aims to include a diverse range of teams from different continents, with various pathways for qualification. Despite the tournament’s expansion and global reach, concerns have been raised by domestic leagues and players’ unions about the workload and strain it may place on players.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the tournament, explaining that it represents only a small percentage of the games played by top clubs worldwide. He underscored FIFA’s role in financing football globally through organizing such events, hoping to dispel any arguments against the tournament’s necessity and impact.
Ancelotti, currently enjoying a holiday in Vancouver following a successful season with Real Madrid, remains optimistic about persuading midfielder Toni Kroos to reconsider his decision to retire. Despite Kroos announcing his retirement after this summer’s European Championship, Ancelotti expressed his willingness to welcome the player back if he has a change of heart in the future. The manager’s determination to keep the team competitive and united underscores Real Madrid’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.