'It was not a fantasy' - Brazil legend Ronaldo reveals why ambitious pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti failed - and claims Real Madrid were ready to sack legendary boss for a second time

Brazil legend and former striker Ronaldo provided the details regarding the Selecao's failed attempts to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as the national team's new head coach, adding that Real Madrid were ready to part ways with the legendary Italian in 2024.

At the end of the 2022-23 season, rumours of Brazil's interest in Ancelotti began circulating in the media. At the time, the former Milan manager was into the final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Real Madrid secured his future with a new two-year contract in December 2023, keeping him at the helm until June 2026 and putting an end to all the speculation.

In January 2024, the Italian himself confessed that he was in talks with then-CBF (Brazil football federation) president Ednaldo Rodrigues: "The reality is what everyone knows. I had contact with the [now former] president of the Brazilian federation, Ednaldo Rodrigues. I want to thank him for his affection and interest, it made me very proud, but what's clear to everyone is it depends on my situation at Real Madrid. I'm grateful for the interest but in the end, it turned out how I wanted: staying here."

Eventually, Brazil acquired Dorival Junior and Ancelotti led Real Madrid to a league and Champions League double in 2024. However, Ronaldo stated that Los Blancos would have sacked Ancelotti for the second time had he failed to win any major silverware.

Speaking on the Charla Podcast (h/t MARCA), Ronaldo explained Brazil's pursuit of Ancelotti: “It was not a fantasy because I helped in the process by talking to Carlo, but he was not released. Real Madrid did not release him. After negotiating everything got stuck because he didn’t have Real Madrid’s release. If he hadn’t won anything, Real Madrid would have fired him and Ancelotti would have come, but he won the Champions League and stayed for another year.”

Speculation has been rife with reports linking Real Madrid with Bayer Leverkusen boss and ex-player Xabi Alonso. Ancelotti, however, has admitted that he will stay at the Bernabeu as long as Real Madrid want him to. Indeed, earlier this year Ancelotti gave an assertive statement in regards to his future in Spain: "I want to be very clear: I will never decide the date of my departure from this club in my life. I know perfectly well that it will come one day, but I will not decide that day.

"It could be tomorrow or in one or five years. I have the advantage that Florentino [Perez] will be here for four more years and I have the objective of achieving them with him. We can say goodbye together."

Madrid are currently tied on points with Barcelona at the top of the Liga table, having played one game more than their rivals. They will take on Leganes on Saturday, March 29, followed by a match against Valencia on April 5 — both at home — before visiting Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on April 8.