“He’ll do anything for this team and his manager,” explains a source close to the player. “[Camavinga] has so much respect for Carlo Ancelotti that he could tell to play anywhere and Eduardo would. He has benefited massively from Carlo’s advice and guidance this season to take his game to the next level.”
The former Rennes wonderkid, who made his debut in Ligue 1 at 16 before moving to Spain in the summer of 2021 for €30 million, has understood that playing at left-back will make him a better midfielder in the future. Defensively, he is developing his strength and balance, traits that are always vital when playing in midfield.
“He is working very hard and improving all the time,” said Ancelotti recently. “I’m so happy with him, whether he plays at left back or in midfield.” Such is the frequency of rotation between the two positions that Camavinga is one of the first names on Ancelotti’s team sheet with Karim Benzema, Vinicius or Thibaut Courtois.
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In becoming so important this season, Camavinga changed a few things following the end of last season. He stepped up his off-the-field work when it comes to his fitness, drawing inspiration from Benzema, who he is very close to, and his worth ethic. While Camavinga still wants to play in midfield regularly for club and country — he starred there against Ireland in Les Bleus‘ most recent game, a 1-0 win in Euro qualifying — and maybe deputise at left back, rather than the other way around, it’s all part of the process.
It’s also fair to say that his flexibility and effort are paying off, both for the team and him as an individual. After Real’s Copa del Rey triumph last weekend, he has now won every title he has played for at the club, also claiming the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, the UEFA European Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup — all before the age of 21.
There could be more to come this season if Real can get the better of Man City in their Champions League semifinal, which won’t be easy. Such is the fluidity and versatility of City’s attacking play that Camavinga & Co. will have their hands full trying to stop Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez finding Erling Haaland around goal. If they’re to get it done, expect Ancelotti to again count on his French midfielder/left-back to hold things down on his flank.
