For now without superstar Neymar, but with great ambitions, Carlo Ancelotti goes into his new task as a Brazilian national football coach.
“I am very proud to run the best team in the world. I have a big task in front of me and have great hope that Brazil will be world champion again,” said the Italian at his inaugural press conference in Rio de Janeiro, where he also nominated his team for the first time on Monday.
“The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,” said Ancelotti. Despite all the problems in the upcoming duels in Ecuador (June 5) and against Paraguay (June 10), the weak record world champion Brazil could secure the ticket for the final round in the USA, Mexico and Canada prematurely.
Striker Neymar did not make it into Ancelotti’s squad. The 33-year-old’s injury, who had not been in the squad for almost two years, was not nominated again. However, the new trainer emphasized that in the future “naturally” on Neymar. Midfielder Casemiro from Manchester United, on the other hand, returned to the squad.
Brazil is currently in fourth place in the South American World Cup qualification. Ancelotti will be the fourth coach of the troubled Selecao in two years. It was only on Saturday that after three Champions League titles with Real Madrid in Spain, he was emotionally adopted in Spain.