With Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti dreams of a sixth World Cup title for the proud soccer nation. It will be exciting to see which squad the Italian chooses for this mission. He named Neymar a condition for World Cup participation.
After his emotional departure from Madrid, which he left as the most successful Real coach in history, Carlo Ancelotti deliberately broke new ground. Instead of settling in Spain’s capital or Vancouver, one of his favorite cities, the Italian moved to Rio de Janeiro. To devote himself heart and soul to his new role as Brazil’s national coach.
Ancelotti spends most of the year in the Brazilian metropolis, as he now reveals in a major interview with the renowned Spanish newspaper AS. “I try to learn something every day about the current state of soccer in Brazil, the culture of the country, simply everything. I live in Rio de Janeiro as much as possible. I really like the city.”
Ancelotti no longer feels the pressure that was his constant companion in Madrid. “Now I have time to observe everything calmly.” This is more in line with his nature. Ancelotti is enthusiastic about “the players and the structure of Brazilian soccer, with a very young president who wants to change things for the better.”
The “European Brazilians” observe Ancelotti’s assistants
He deliberately lets his assistants observe European soccer more closely. Ancelotti, on the other hand, concentrates fully on the Brazilian “market.” Seven players in the current Selecao squad actually earn their money in their home country.
This is not an act of desperation, but rather a sign of confidence in the quality of Brazilian talent. Ancelotti cites Vitor Roque as an example, a player who had recently failed in Europe: “He is very good, has scored many goals for Palmeiras and is much better than he was during his time at Barcelona and Betis. A striker profile that I really appreciate.“
Only a few players have been guaranteed a place in the World Cup squad so far. ”Others, like Vitor Roque, can still fight for a place in the final list,” Ancelotti clarifies.
Eder Militao and Vinicius Junior, two former protégés at Real, have the best chances. The former is “back in top form and even more mature than before his two cruciate ligament tears,” Ancelotti praises the center back. Vinicius Junior, who has repeatedly been criticized for his poor performances in the national team, is also “getting closer to his best form here with us.”
Endrick, once celebrated as a prodigy, is undoubtedly a special case. This season, the striker has only come off the bench once in La Liga under Xabi Alonso, whom Ancelotti expressly praises for his work, and has not played at all otherwise.
“He is an extremely important player, as he is one of the talents that Brazilian soccer has produced. We are currently monitoring him,“ said Ancelotti, who then dispelled rumors: ”But it is not true that I said Endrick had to leave Madrid to go to the World Cup. That is a matter between Madrid and the player. Those who claim I said that are wrong. He needs to talk to the club and make the best decision for himself and for Madrid. I would never advise Madrid what to do with one of its players. The club knows very well what it has to do.“
”No one can deny Neymar’s talent, but …”
Another emotional topic in Brazil is Neymar, who, after a promising start at FC Santos, is reportedly declining and causing internal team discussions. The now 33-year-old is hoping for what will likely be his last World Cup—like Lionel Messi for Argentina or Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal.
However, there is still a long way to go before he can participate. Ancelotti makes that clear: “No one can deny Neymar’s talent, but he has been struggling with injuries lately. Now he is back on the pitch, but first he has to get back to his best physical condition. That’s quite normal in today’s football, which is very physically demanding and intense.”
Without the necessary fitness, someone else will take Neymar’s supposed place in the squad. Because Ancelotti has a plan—and a dream. “We have the quality to compete in the World Cup and fight for the title. The goal is to win our sixth World Cup title.” That goal must be in the minds of the players—despite all the quarrels of the past months and years.