According to reports, the latest news about Carlo Ancelotti’s future has come as a shock to Brazil. The agreement between the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the Italian coach is on the verge of collapse. The situation has escalated in recent hours, even though it had seemed almost certain that Ancelotti would finish the season with Real Madrid and then begin a new chapter with Brazil, with the primary goal of the 2026 World Cup for Seleção.

However, there are two points of contention: the timing of his arrival in Brazil and the release clause amount. Additionally, Real Madrid’s executives are unhappy with how he has handled the situation: images of his return from London were not well received. In Brazil, opinions are divided, and the media has reacted strongly to this sudden turn of events.

Alicia Klein from UOL Brazil stated: “The CBF cannot afford such a disaster. This is a soap opera unfolding in a tragic season. Did you think you could give Florentino Perez a ‘balloon’ as a gift? He is the most experienced executive in football. Imagining that they (CBF and Ancelotti) would finalize the agreement, inform Perez, and he would sign the release clause check seems either extremely naive or arrogant—both from CBF negotiators and Ancelotti himself.”

Renan Tcheira, also from UOL Brazil, added: “This was a good cover for the CBF. Ancelotti’s stature in world football could have shielded them from all the controversies surrounding the CBF president. Now, the CBF has once again received a ‘no’ from Ancelotti. They are only embarrassing us.”

Andre Rizek from Globo Esporte went further, explaining some of Ancelotti’s reservations about signing with Brazil: “Two factors have worried the coach: security in Brazil and political instability within the CBF.”

In the contract signed in 2023, Ancelotti had agreed to live in Brazil. The CBF insists he must reside in the country. However, this time, he has raised obstacles. In 2021, while managing Everton, his home in England was burglarized, and his family is concerned about safety in Brazil. He has pointed to Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach, who lives in Spain, asking, “Why can’t I live in Europe?” according to Rizek. This was Ancelotti’s final request.

Additionally, the change in CBF leadership is another concern for him. “Ancelotti signed a commitment agreement when the CBF was leaderless because its president had been removed by the court. He has questions about the current political situation within the CBF. What might happen in the coming months? Is there any guarantee of stability? Have conditions changed since he signed the contract and the president who negotiated with him was ousted? He is gathering information on this matter. The CBF is currently in a period of great turmoil,” confirmed the Globo journalist.

Finally, Pedro Ivo Almeida from ESPN Brazil responded to a video from the program El Chiringuito, which caught Ancelotti negotiating with CBF representatives upon his return from London. He said: “Things have gotten complicated here. Florentino Perez was not at all pleased with Ancelotti’s public involvement, even through CBF intermediaries. He has made it harder for the Italian coach to leave immediately after La Liga and is unwilling to pay the remainder of his contract. Carletto is completely blocked!”