Ancelotti thanks Milan for helping to make Real Madrid forward ‘complete’

Carlo Ancelotti has thanked AC Milan for their role in the development of Brahim Diaz, who returned to Real Madrid over the summer and has been in excellent form.

Brahim Diaz moved to Real Madrid from Manchester City in a deal worth €17m in January 2019 and subsequently he spent three years on loan at Milan (an initial one-year loan then a two-year deal), where he became a trusted option for Stefano Pioli.

The 24-year-old went back to the Spanish capital in the summer transfer window but he has had to be patient again, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes ahead of him in the ranks.

Nonetheless, Brahim has been in great form of late and in his 21 appearances across all competitions he has chipped in with six goals and three assists. He thanked Milan for their role in his development back in June.

Ancelotti spoke at a press conference on the eve of the Copa del Rey derby against Atlético Madrid, which will be played at the Wanda Metropolitano, and he spoke about the playmaker.

“He improved a lot during his years at Milan. He is stronger, more powerful and has also improved tactically,” he said (via TMW).

“In tight spaces he asserts himself a lot, he is important in defence, he works a lot in any position. He does well wherever you put him in the line-up, he’s helping us a lot, he’s very complete.”