Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti responded to Karim Benzema returning to the Madrid capital rumours during a press conference ahead of La Liga clash against Las Palmas.
Benzema moved to the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023 after spending almost 14 years with the Whites but things have not gone in the Frenchman’s way and the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is currently seeking a way out of the Gulf Country.
Multiple reports have linked the 36-year-old to Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea and news outlets from Spain linked the striker to his former club as well.
Ancelotti, who has always spoken highly of Benzema, was asked if there is any truth to rumours about bringing the five-time Champions League winner back to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Italian was quick to shut the rumours down.
“That’s a lie, we have never spoken to the club about this,” Ancelotti responded bluntly.
Ancelotti hit back at Barcelona over their constant comments on Madrid ever since Los Blancos’ controversial 3-2 win against Almeria.
Barca’s president Joan Laporta called what happened at the Bernabeu that night a “disgrace” and stated that his team was not able to perform due to the referee’s decisions.
Ancelotti did not approve of such comments from arch-rivals and reminded everyone that a case has been going on against Barcelona for the payment to the former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees.
“They (Barcelona) have talked a lot this week. We don't have to deflect the topic, everyone knows what has happened in the last 20 years in Spanish football, that is the problem,” Ancelotti said.
“Spanish football has had a problem. Now the anti-corruption prosecutor's office & the Civil Guard are doing the investigation and now we have to wait. You don't have to divert the topic.”
It is worth mentioning that Barcelona are under investigation for making payments to the Technical Committee of Referees' ex-Vice President, Jose Maria Enrique Negreira, as they were charged with "continuous corruption in the sports field" in 2023.
According to Spanish news outlet El Mundo, Barca paid Negreira an amount approaching €7 million ($7.5 million) from 2001 to 2018.