Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed deep concern for the victims of the recent devastating floods in the Valencia region, stating he found it challenging to focus on football as his team prepares for their Champions League match against AC Milan. The floods have resulted in at least 217 deaths and left many others missing, prompting the postponement of Madrid’s La Liga match against Valencia last Saturday.
In a news conference on Monday, Ancelotti emphasized the human tragedy overshadowing the upcoming match, saying, “I hope the situation can be resolved quickly, and I hope you can understand that talking about football is very hard. We are part of this country, and all this affects us… I don’t feel like talking about football.” He acknowledged the significance of the game against Milan, a team he has a storied history with, having won the Champions League four times—twice as a player and twice as a coach—but indicated that the current circumstances made it difficult to shift focus to the sport.
Ancelotti criticized the decision to proceed with other La Liga matches over the weekend, suggesting that it was inappropriate given the tragic circumstances. “Nobody wanted to play; that seemed the right decision to me, but it’s not us in charge—those above us make the decision,” he stated. The sentiment was echoed by various coaches and players across the league, including Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone, who expressed a preference for pausing matches during such trying times. Ancelotti added, “There are many ways to help… football should have stopped, and after that, football can and should help.”
Defender Lucas Vazquez joined Ancelotti in sending messages of support to those impacted by the flooding. “I would like to send a message of support to the families affected by the flooding; these are difficult moments. They are not alone, and we will help with everything that we can. We feel proud of the solidarity of the people,” he said, highlighting the unity and compassion demonstrated by the community in the face of adversity.
Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Vazquez acknowledged the team’s responsibility to continue performing their professional duties. “What we have to do is be professional, and we have to play when we don’t want to because it’s what we have to do,” he noted, underscoring the tension between their commitment to football and their empathy for those suffering from the floods.
Real Madrid’s last outing ended in a disappointing 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona, raising the stakes for the team as they face Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. Ancelotti’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among athletes regarding the balance between professional responsibilities and the ethical imperative to respond to crises impacting their communities. The emotional weight of the situation may add an extra layer of complexity to an already crucial match for the European champions.
