Real Madrid have extracted more than they could have possibly hoped for from their aging veterans in recent seasons, but based on their Champions League performances it looks as if they might be good for a while let. When asked about whether age ever factors into his decisions, Carlo Ancelotti came up with an excellent answer.
The genesis of the question came from Sergio Ramos’ Spain retirement, who implied that his age was an issue for new coach Luis de la Fuente.
However Ancelotti declared that didn’t pay too much to it.
“The issue of being old is the same as that of youth. If a footballer makes the grade, you don’t have to look at their their passport.”
“If a player is 16 years old and does the job… well, he will have to play. If a player is 17, and does not make the grade, then he doesn’t have to play. It’s the same as if a player is 35, 36, or 37. You have to evaluate what happens on the pitch every day, evaluate if a player is doing well or not. This is our job and age, for better or for worse, cannot be something with which you make a decision.”
“Sometimes they say that I don’t use the academy and back in the day, I put on a goalkeeper who was 16. It was Bufffon, who was 16 years old. Why? He was very good, better than others and that’s why he played. Maldini trained once a week and played because he was the best of all.”
Los Blancos continue to get the best out of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, even if Karim Benzema has struggled this season with fitness issues.
The former two perhaps have had dips in the season, but the relaity is that no player is at their best level for the entire season, as was illustrated by Fede Valverde in January too.
kilgharraRMA
498
Wiseman saying, 'age is just a number'. this Spanish coaches are just against Real Madrid players and legends
jiwacdly
458
the wisdom of this coach makes him stand out.
Zamablmpry
283
Highly intelligent coach. very intelligent response
abubakarilyasu
152
If a player is 16 years old and does the job… well, he will have to play. If a player is 17, and does not make the grade, then he doesn’t have to play. It’s the same as if a player is 35, 36, or 37💯💯💯
jesalam14
31
clearly Carlo want to tell us that, he's philosophy is always emphasizing on those who can deliver (irrespective of their age) not using fame name or price tag. Vini is better than hazard since under zidane, but zidane refuse to accept the truth and he's ego eliminated us vs Man city, which I'm very sure vini was the best player on the pitch when we re leading 1-0, things collapse after he was subbed off. things didn't work well, no one can create the chance throughout the game. and during the second league zidane ego and rudeness, leads him to bench vini throughout the game on the bench and use hazard. that was my worse game to watch under zidane. later Carlo replace him nd recognized the work rate of the lad is crazy. since then, Carlo rely on vini's ability to create attacking plan. nd today Carlo never hesitate to say that vini is my favorite player. Carlo Is💯 right. vini is paying the truth back the tireless performance week in week out.