Carlo Ancelotti left an intriguing statement in his last press conference before the Champions League draw. The Italian coach revealed that several top players dream of wearing the Real Madrid jersey but surprised everyone by saying that some of them are names no one would expect. “Many want to come here. There are players who dream of being in Rodrygo or Vinícius' place, and some would be unexpected for everyone,” he said with a smile.

The Madrid coach avoided giving any clues about who these players might be but made it clear that the club's appeal remains as strong as ever. “This is the history and strength of this team. Not only do players want to come, but there are also coaches who dream of managing here,” he added with a laugh. His words come at a time when the transfer market is more active than ever, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a powerful force in the battle for football’s biggest stars.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid now knows its opponent in the playoff round for the Champions League Round of 16: Manchester City. A matchup that has already become a European classic, which Pep Guardiola himself described as "a derby" due to how frequently both teams face each other. “We have played against them four seasons in a row. Whether with Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, it’s always tough,” said the Spanish coach.

The challenge will be enormous for both teams, as they are the last two Champions League winners. Ancelotti knows his squad will face an intense schedule and made it clear that he will need the entire team to be ready to perform at their best. “There’s no time to prepare for matches. It’s recovery, video analysis, and back to playing. I need the entire squad during this part of the season,” he explained.

One key player in this period will be Rodrygo, who has demonstrated his versatility in the attack. Ancelotti acknowledged that the Brazilian feels more comfortable on the left wing but insisted that sacrifices must be made for the team. “Someone has to adapt. Rodrygo has performed well on both the right and left, he’s a complete player,” said the coach, who also avoided discussing the forward’s future amid increasing interest from Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid and Manchester City will once again face off in Europe’s biggest competition, with both teams’ ambitions at their peak. While Guardiola hopes his squad arrives in top shape, Ancelotti’s mystery about which stars dream of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu remains unsolved.