Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said he is more focused on the Champions League final against Liverpool and potentially helping Milan than missing out on Kylian Mbappe.
The France forward opted to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend despite being publicly courted by Real Madrid throughout the entire season.
His decision prompted a furious reaction by Madrid fans and even some players but Ancelotti said he is not thinking about it.
Speaking at a UEFA media day ahead of the Champions League final, the ex-Milan coach said: “I won’t speak about players who aren’t at Madrid. The player know what they should be thinking about: the final.”
Ancelotti has a past of battling against Liverpool both as a player and manager. He was part of the Roma side which lost at home in the 1984 European Cup final, while was manager of Milan when they let a 3-0 lead slip to lose on penalties in the 2005 Champions League final.
He has also enjoyed some positive moments such as Champions League final revenge with a win in Athens in 2007 as Milan boss and led Everton to their first win at Anfield in over 20 years.
Victory for Madrid would be a boost to former club Milan whose haul of seven European Cup wins, which is bettered on by Madrid, would be equalled by Liverpool should Jurgen Klopp’s side prevail in Paris.
He added: “[There have been] many great ties across many years. The 1984 [European Cup final was] a sporting tragedy. I was injured, the European Cup final in Roma, the defeat at home. Disaster.
“[In] 2005, another sporting tragedy. In Istanbul, a final which seemed to have already been won but instead we lost on penalties.
“[In] 2007, like [Liverpool forward Mohamed] Salah said, it was time for the revenge in Athens. Then the Mersey side derby and first Everton win at Anfield for 21 years.
“So many memories, good and bad and a great respect for such a historic club – like Madrid. I think about Bob Paisley who, like [Zinedine] Zidane and me is the only [manager] to win the Champions League three times.
“The final with Liverpool is special but, for me, there is an extra motivation: Liverpool has six Champions League titles and Milan seven: I have many Milan-supporting friends who these past few days have asked me to beat them to avoid being caught up.”
Ancelotti was referencing comments made by Salah earlier this month where he said he was out for revenge against Madrid following Los Blancos’ win over Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final.
Ancelotti: "Non penso a Mbappé ma alla finale, al Liverpool e ai tifosi… milanisti" https://t.co/3MW9tQjcVK
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) May 24, 2022