Ancelotti insists Vinicius is happy at Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has said that Real Madrid is capable of winning even without "undisputed player" Vinicius Junior while also insisting the player is happy at the club.
The Madrid boss was speaking ahead of his side's LaLiga meeting with bottom side Real Valladolid on Sunday (AEDT).
The Brazil international received a red card against Valencia on 4 January (AEDT) and is currently surviving a two-match suspension.
Vinicius, who has bagged eight goals and seven assists in 15 league appearances, missed Madrid's 4-1 victory against Las Palmas at home last weekend.
"People have forgotten that without Vini we have won two Champions Leagues, he is an undisputed player," Ancelotti said.
"The player is the same as always, it's good for him to have some days of recovery, to take advantage of and be fresher at the most important moment of the season."
The Brazilian joined the club in 2018 and has won a handful of trophies, including three league titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues.
However, he has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window with Spanish media reporting an offer of more than $550 million from Saudi Arabia.
But Ancelotti said the 24-year-old wants to continue at the LaLiga club.
"What is difficult for me, since I have direct information about the player, is that he is very happy here and wants to make history at Madrid. We are happy here, and we want to make history," the 65-year-old said.
"You have to ask him, I don't know if this offer will come or not. He is making history here, and he wants to continue like this."
Madrid has won each of its past six meetings with Valladolid with its opponent not scoring once. It's its longest run without scoring against Madrid in the league.
Ancelotti's side, which has played seven games already in 2025, is top of the LaLiga standings wit 46 points from 20 games, two points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
It will also be without Eduardo Camavinga for the game but Aurelien Tchouameni, who sprained his left ankle during a UEFA Champions League match against AC Milan last November, is set to return to the squad.
"We give the match the importance it deserves, we have to keep the lead and field the best team possible," the Italian tactician said.
"It is true that it is a demanding schedule, but little by little we are getting into the right rhythm. The objective is clear, we have become leaders and we have to maintain our position."
