In a stunning development that has rocked the football world, former Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticized Carlo Ancelotti for maintaining his trust in a player Ronaldo believes is hindering the club’s success.
Speaking at a post-match press conference in Saudi Arabia, where he now plays for Al Nassr, Ronaldo didn’t mince words. He revealed that he had previously warned Ancelotti about this particular player — someone he believes has significantly harmed Real Madrid’s season.
“I warned Carlo about that player. He refused to bench him,” Ronaldo stated. “He keeps making costly mistakes, and this isn’t new. He lost them three points in La Liga, made crucial errors in the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, and yet Ancelotti continues to start him. It’s an unforgivable decision.”
Although Ronaldo avoided directly naming the player, several Spanish media outlets, including Marca and AS, have indicated that the player is most likely Ferland Mendy. The French defender has been under fire from fans and analysts for a series of mistakes this season, notably one that led to Barcelona’s winning goal in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Known for his relentless standards during his Real Madrid career, Ronaldo showed clear irritation over Ancelotti’s unwavering loyalty.
“You can’t protect underperforming players at a club like Real Madrid. This is a team for champions, not passengers,” he emphasized.
Ronaldo’s remarks have fueled fresh debates among Madrid fans, many of whom took to social media to agree with his criticism. The spotlight is now even more intense on Ancelotti, who has defended his players by emphasizing the need for squad unity and allowing struggling players time to regain their form.
With a tight La Liga title race and the Champions League semifinals fast approaching, this controversy couldn’t have surfaced at a worse moment. Whether Ancelotti will reconsider his stance remains to be seen — but it’s clear that Ronaldo’s voice still carries significant weight in the world of Real Madrid.
