Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti wholeheartedly agrees with Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s statement that went viral claiming “there is no failure in sports.”
The power forward passionately responded in a news conference when asked if their season was a failure after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Miami Heat.
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“It’s not a failure, it’s a step to success,” Antetokounmpo, an NBA champion and finals MVP in 2021, as well as a seven-time NBA All-Star, said.
“Michael Jordan played for 15 years and won six championships. Were the other nine years a failure? It’s the wrong question. There’s no failure in sports.”
Ancelotti praised the NBA star for his insightful comments, saying in a news conference, “What Antetokounmpo said was fantastic. I concur 100% with him.
“In sports and life, failure is when you don’t give it your all. When you give it your best effort, you can hold your head high – that’s never failure, not just in sports but in life itself.”
While Real Madrid will likely miss out on the La Liga title this season, trailing leaders Barcelona by 11 points with six games left, Ancelotti, the most decorated Champions League manager ever, added, “In sports, you lose far more often than you win.
“I have a huge cabinet full of trophies, but if I included all the ones I’ve lost, it wouldn’t be a cabinet – it’d be a house!”
Real Madrid face Real Sociedad in La Liga on Tuesday before taking on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. Ancelotti’s side then face one of their toughest tests this season against Manchester City in their Champions League semifinal first leg on May 9.
Ancelotti has been linked to taking over the vacant Brazil national team job this summer. However, reports in Brazil have suggested the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have set a May 25 deadline to secure a candidate.
Ancelotti said, “I’ve said I won’t discuss my future. But to answer: a deadline is silly. I haven’t spoken to anyone!”
Madrid will visit Sociedad without the suspended Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed defender David Alaba won’t feature as he recovers from injury.
However, the Italian coach said there was “good news” about midfielder Luka Modric, who “could be available” for Saturday’s cup final.
