At the inauguration of the 2024/2025 academic year at Real Madrid’s University School, Carlo Ancelotti gave an insightful talk on the high standards and values that define the Merengue club. In front of an audience of students and celebrities, the Transalpine coach made a number of revelations, notably about Florentino Perez.
If there is one coach who perfectly embodies the DNA of Real Madrid, it is Carlo Ancelotti. The Transalpine coach, who has won a number of titles with the Casa Blanca club without a seductive game plan, knows that nothing would have been possible without Florentino Perez. Present at the inauguration of the Real Madrid University School’s 2024/2025 academic year, Don Carlo was quick to point out what sets Real Madrid apart from other clubs.
‘Madrid has won and continues to win a lot in its history because it doesn’t like to lose or draw. Some clubs don’t accept defeat in the same way as Real Madrid. That increases the demands and responsibilities of the people who work at this club,’ said the Italian.
This mantra of sporting excellence, engraved in the club’s DNA, makes Real Madrid a unique institution in the world. For Ancelotti, this mentality is not limited to the simple objective of winning, but extends to every aspect of the organisation. ‘I’ve worked at many top clubs, and Real Madrid is the biggest in the world in terms of history, organisation and demands. Here, the most important thing is to succeed in sporting terms,’ he said.
Carlo Ancelotti bows down to Florentino Perez
Carlo Ancelotti (64) also praised the work of President Florentino Pérez, whom he considers a key architect of the club’s recent successes. ‘The president’s work is spectacular. The club is winning thanks to what he has managed to achieve,’ he said. In his opinion, Real Madrid’s impeccable management creates an environment in which talent can flourish. It is therefore an obligation for him to get results season after season. Although Real Madrid have been struggling since the start of the season with mixed results and injuries, Ancelotti still believes the situation can be turned around.
‘Real Madrid is a family. We spend a lot of time here, and the atmosphere pushes you to give your best. From a personal point of view, I prefer to work in a family. Every day you come here, you feel it,’ added Ancelotti. This sense of internal cohesion, combined with the club’s relentless ambition, forms a unique blend that fosters success both on and off the pitch.
On a more personal level, Carlo Ancelotti confided what motivates him on a daily basis. ‘Passion is the fuel, and if you are lucky enough to do things with passion, it allows you to work with discipline, sacrifice and commitment,’ explained the Italian coach. For him, football is not just a job, but a vocation that has been deeply rooted since childhood. ‘I started when I was a child, it was a passion and it still is,’ he confided.
The Decima engraved in Carlo Ancelotti’s mind
Carlo Ancelotti also recalled an emblematic moment of his time in charge of the Madrid club: the conquest of ‘La Decima’. This tenth Champions League title, achieved after an epic final against Atlético Madrid, remains one of the most memorable achievements of his career. ‘I was convinced it could happen. You have to believe until the last second. When we scored the goal, I was convinced we were going to win. It was very important psychologically,’ he says.
This state of mind, based on unshakeable faith in his players and their ability to surpass themselves, perfectly sums up Ancelotti’s philosophy and that of Real Madrid: never give up, even in the face of adversity. In sharing this moving speech, Carlo Ancelotti gave the students and participants a valuable lesson in commitment, perseverance and the importance of believing in one’s abilities.
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