In a bombshell revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, former Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly criticized Carlo Ancelotti for his continued faith in a player Ronaldo believes is sabotaging the club’s ambitions.

Speaking during a post-match press conference in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo now plays for Al Nassr, the Portuguese legend didn’t hold back as he named the player he had previously warned Ancelotti about — and who, in his opinion, has cost Real Madrid dearly this season.

“I warned Carlo about that particular player. He refused to bench him,” Ronaldo told reporters. “He keeps causing problems to the team, and it’s not the first time. He cost them three points in La Liga, he was at fault in the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, and yet Ancelotti keeps playing him full time. It’s an unforgivable mistake.”

While Ronaldo stopped short of directly naming the player during the press conference, multiple Spanish outlets including Marca and AS have reported that the player in question is believed to be Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy. The Frenchman has faced mounting criticism from fans and pundits alike for several high-profile errors this season, including a costly mistake in El Clásico that led to Barcelona’s winning goal in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Ronaldo, known for his high standards and competitive nature during his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, expressed frustration at what he sees as Ancelotti’s blind loyalty.

“You can’t keep protecting players who aren’t performing at the level Real Madrid demands. This is a club of champions, not passengers,” Ronaldo added.

The remarks have reignited debates within Madridismo over squad selection, with many fans taking to social media to voice their agreement with Ronaldo. The pressure is now on Ancelotti, who has so far defended his player, insisting on the importance of squad unity and giving under-fire players a chance to recover form.

With the La Liga title race tight and Champions League semifinals on the horizon, this latest controversy could not have come at a worse time for the club. Whether Ancelotti will finally heed Ronaldo’s warning remains to be seen, but it’s clear the former Madrid No.7 still carries considerable influence and isn’t afraid to speak his mind.