FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski recently praised Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti during an interview with BILD in Germany. The two had previously worked together at Bayern Munich, where Ancelotti replaced Pep Guardiola in the mid-2010s before departing in 2017.
Looking ahead to the Champions League semi-final clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Lewandowski shared insights on Ancelotti's coaching style. He highlighted the challenges faced by foreign managers in Germany and expressed belief that had Ancelotti stayed longer at Bayern, they could have built a successful era together.
Lewandowski commended Ancelotti's influence on players at Real Madrid, noting their strong connection with the coach. He credited Ancelotti for instilling self-confidence and pushing players to excel further in their careers.
The Polish striker's achievements, including winning the Champions League in 2020 under Hansi Flick, have positioned him as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. Speculation arose that Lewandowski could have challenged Lionel Messi for the award in a previous year had the pandemic not disrupted the schedule.
Reports suggest that Messi, now at Paris Saint-Germain, has reportedly blocked Inter Miami's interest in signing Lewandowski. Despite transfer rumors, if Lewandowski remains at Barcelona, he will continue to face off against Ancelotti's Real Madrid in the intense rivalry between the two Spanish giants.