JAKARTA - Coach Carlo Ancelotti officially became the first foreign coach to handle the Brazilian national team. Ancelotti's first step was to cross out Neymar and recall Antony, who failed to shine at Manchester United but skyrocketed with Real Betis.
Ancelotti immediately worked shortly after leaving Real Madrid. He was introduced as Brazil's new coach on Monday, May 26, 2025 local time.
Ancelotti, who came from Italy, became the first foreign coach in Brazil's national team. The former coach of various top European clubs, AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, to Everton and Napoli replaced Dorival Junior who was sacked after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the South American zone.
Upon arrival in Brazil, Ancelotti was immediately greeted by former national team coach Luis Felipe Scolari who led Brazil to win the 2002 World Cup. Now, Ancelotti has received a heavy burden, which is to bring Brazil through to the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti did not take long. After the introduction, he immediately called the players who were prepared to play qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.
"I feel honored and proud to handle the best team in the world. And now I have to face a big job in front of my eyes," said Ancelotti at CBF headquarters (Brazil Football Confederation).
"I welcome this big challenge. I actually seem to have a special relationship with this team. We will work together to bring Brazil back to winning," said the coach who handled many Brazilian players at European clubs.
Ancelotti made a bit of a surprise when he set 25 players. The reason is, he recalled the MU duo, Casemiro and Antony. Casemiro himself is no longer a starter at MU. Meanwhile, Antony was loaned to Betis last January for failing to shine in the English Premier League.
In La Liga Spain, the winger who was bought by Manchester United at an expensive price of 85 million actually returned to play. He scored nine goals and made five assists in Betis. Antony took Los Verdiblancos to sixth place and will face Chelsea in the Conference League final.
After more than a year of absence from defending Selecao since March 2023, Antony now has a second chance under Ancelotti. Likewise, Casemiro, who has been handled by Ancelotti in Madrid, has no longer defended Brazil since 2023.
"For me, he [Casemiro] is still a big player. I am lucky to have handled him. I think the current national team needs players with the type he is. Players who have charisma, personality and talent. But Brazil must admit that the talent is indeed a warehouse for talented players," said Ancelotti.
"In modern football, you need players who have a attitude, commitment and dare to sacrifice. Casemiro has all that. This is what makes him get a call," he said again.
On the other hand, Ancelotti crossed out Neymar who returned to Santos, the club that raised him after recovering from a long injury. Neymar returned to Santos in January after being released by Al-Hilal.
"(Neymar) returned to Brazil so he could play again and prepare to appear in the World Cup. I have spoken with him regarding the summons of players for these two matches. He also understands my reasons," said Ancelotti.
"Indeed, there was a surprise from the player's summons. However, some of them had to be dropped due to injury or were still recovering," he said.
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The players who were not called included Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, Joelinton (Newcastle United) and former Ancelotti's team in Madrid, Rodrygo.
Brazil, which is currently ranked fourth in the standings against Ecuador in Guayaquil on Friday, June 6, 2025 morning WIB. Furthermore, they host Paraguay, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 morning WIB. If they win the two matches, Brazil will qualify for the finals.
The Brasilikiper Squad: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians); behind: Alex Sandro (Flameno), Alexandro (Lille), Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Danilo (Flameno), Leo Ortiz (Flameno), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG); central: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimaraes ( Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo); front: Antony (Real Betis), Estevo (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
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