Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelloti is on the same page as Giannis regarding "no failure in sports" take

It appears that Giannis' hot take has an ardent supporter from halfway across the world.

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impassioned comments about “failure” triggered the sports world last week, with many expressing varying opinions about it. The comments came after the Bucks’ stunning five-game loss to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, an outcome many did not see coming, especially with Milwaukee being pegged as a title favorite.

One prominent sports figure voiced his approval of Giannis’ sentiments. Carlo Ancelloti, the current manager of one of the world’s most prominent football clubs, Real Madrid, recently told reporters that Giannis’ message resonated with him.

Ancelloti, who has managed some of the best teams in the world, said he could relate to Giannis’ message that “failure is not an option” and that he, too, believes that no one should be afraid of failure as long they put forth their very best.

Most decorated manager in Champions League history

Regarded as one of the most successful football managers of all time, Ancelloti has four Champions League titles to his name—two with AC Milan and two with Real Madrid. However, he’ll be the first to admit that he’s lost a lot more than he’s won.

"In sport, you lose a lot more often than you win," Ancelotti said. "I have a big cabinet with a lot of trophies, but if I had to include all the ones I've lost, it wouldn't be a cabinet, it would be a house."

Ancelloti expressed his ardent support for Giannis’ comments, saying what the Greek star said is apt for both sports and life.

“What Antetokounmpo said was fantastic. I think in 100% the same way as him,” Ancelotti added. “In sport, you can't talk about failure, and in life, you can't talk about failure. Failure is when you don't try to do something as well as you can. When you try to do your best, you have a clear conscience, and that's never a failure, not just in sport but in life.”

Carlo Ancelotti 🤝 Giannis

'What Antetokounmpo said was fantastic...failure is when you don't try to do something as well as you can. When you try to do your best, you have a clear conscience, and that's never a failure, not just in sport but in life' pic.twitter.com/W6B53cBEa4

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 1, 2023

Steps to success

Giannis’ words came not long after the Bucks lost Game 5 of their first-round series against the Miami Heat. At the postgame press conference, when asked if the Bucks’ season was a failure, given the heightened expectations and the disappointing conclusion, Giannis balked at the question and answered:

"It's not a failure, it's a step to success," Antetokounmpo said. "Michael Jordan played for 15 years and won six championships. Were the other nine years a failure? It's the wrong question. There's no failure in sports."