Valverde’s Goals Against Al Hilal Saves Madrid Boss Ancelotti From Premature Retirement

• Carlo Ancelotti made a bet with Valverde in the summer that if the latter did not score at least 10 goals this season, he would retire
• Valverde has been a goal outlet for Real Madrid this campaign, tormenting goalkeepers with his ferocious strikes from outside the box
• He was among the goal scorers as Los Blancos clinched yet another Club World Cup crown

Federico Valverde ensured veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti will not rip his coaching badge apart at the end of the season.

The Italian tactician promised to call time off his coaching career should Valverde fail to score at least 10 goals this term.

"What was strange last year was that he only scored one goal, in the Super Cup I think. If you can’t get a player like that to score at least 10 goals in a season then you should rip up your coaching badge and retire," Ancelotti said as quoted by Managing Madrid.

Watch Cristiano Ronaldo score sublime goal to reach 500 league strikes

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Since jokingly striking the bet with Valverde, the latter has been in the form of his life, firing goals from all cylinders.

The 24-year-old is known for his box-to-box attributes and versatility as a midfielder but has added goals to his repertoire.

Valverde had also vowed to ensure Ancelotti remains in the dugout by fulfilling his part of the bargain, reaching double digits and most importantly scoring at least 10 goals.

"I’m happy for the team. He (Ancelotti) already said it, I have to score more than 10 goals. I’m focused on doing it. It’s nice pressure to have. I don’t want to take the blame for the coach retiring,” the Uruguayan midfielder said via GSFN.

His 10th and 11th goals for the campaign came in the FIFA Club World Cup final, where he struck twice to ensure Madrid win a record-extending fifth title at the expense of Al-Hilal.

Madrid target own Club World Cup record against Al-Hilal

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After reaching his personal landmark, Valverde rushed to Madrid's technical bench to celebrate with Ancelotti.

Breakdown of Valverde's 10+ goals

Valverde has bagged six goals in 20 La Liga appearances while scoring two in the UEFA Champions League, according to Transfermarkt.

Having witnessed his form dip after the World Cup, the 24-year-old has managed to rediscover his early season form in the Club World Cup.

The Uruguayan bagged three goals at the tournament, including a brace in the final, taking his season tally to 11 strikes.

Brazil FA denies Ancelotti links

Meanwhile, the Brazilian football federation on Friday denied it had reached an agreement with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to take charge of the five-time World Cup winners, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Ancelotti is currently with Real in Morocco at the Club World Cup, where his team will play Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in Saturday's final.

The 63-year-old Italian told a press conference on Friday his intention was to see out his contract with Real.