Carlo Ancelotti just threw the biggest curveball in Brazilian football, and honestly, nobody saw it coming. The man who’s won everything there is to win as a club manager has decided that his first Brazil squad doesn’t need the country’s all-time leading scorer. Yes, you read that right—Neymar, the player who’s been the face of Brazilian football for over a decade, didn’t make the cut.
This isn’t just squad rotation or tactical tweaking. This is Ancelotti making a statement that reverberates from São Paulo to Manchester, from the beaches of Rio to the training grounds of Europe. When a coach leaves out a player of Neymar’s caliber for his debut international squad, he’s essentially announcing that a new era has begun, and nobody’s place is guaranteed.
The timing couldn’t be more critical either. Brazil sits fourth in South American World Cup qualifying, having lost five of their 14 games so far. They’re not just struggling—they’re in genuine danger of missing the 2026 World Cup entirely. For a country that considers football not just a sport but a way of life, that’s unthinkable. Yet here’s Ancelotti, doubling down on his philosophy that form and fitness trump reputation and legacy.
The comeback kids get their moment
While everyone’s talking about who got left out, the real story might be who got brought back in. Casemiro and Richarlison haven’t worn the Brazil jersey since October 2023, yet Ancelotti’s calling them up like they never left. That’s not nostalgia—that’s a coach who values what these players bring to the table beyond just their technical ability.
Casemiro’s inclusion is particularly telling. The Manchester United midfielder has been criticized for his club performances this season, with many writing him off as past his prime. But Ancelotti sees something different. Having worked with Casemiro at Real Madrid, he knows exactly what the 32-year-old brings: leadership, experience, and that intangible quality of knowing how to win when it matters most.
Ancelotti’s reasoning reveals everything about his coaching philosophy. He believes that while Brazil has never lacked talent, modern football demands something more: attitude, commitment, and sacrifice. According to the Italian coach, Casemiro embodies these qualities perfectly. Translation: skill alone isn’t enough anymore. You need players who understand the mental side of the game, who can handle pressure, who can drag their teammates through difficult moments.
Antony’s redemption arc begins now
The inclusion of Antony might be the most intriguing decision of all. After struggling mightily at Manchester United, the winger has found new life on loan at Real Betis, rediscovering the form that made him one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Ancelotti isn’t just rewarding good performances—he’s betting on potential and believing that a change of scenery can unlock a player’s true ability.
This is classic Ancelotti man-management. He’s always been exceptional at identifying when a player needs confidence more than criticism, when belief matters more than technical instruction. By bringing Antony back into the fold after his struggles, he’s sending a message to the entire squad: if you’re willing to work and show commitment, there’s always a path back.
The competition for attacking spots is going to be fascinating. Raphinha comes in fresh off a phenomenal season with Barcelona, scoring 34 goals and providing 22 assists in 54 games. That’s not just good form—that’s world-class production. Yet he’ll have to compete with Vinícius Júnior, Gabriel Martinelli, and now Antony for playing time.
The Vinícius puzzle that Ancelotti must solve
Perhaps no player represents Brazil’s recent struggles more than Vinícius Júnior. Here’s someone who finished second in Ballon d’Or voting, who terrorizes defenses weekly in La Liga and the Champions League, yet has managed only six goals in 39 international appearances. That’s not just disappointing—it’s baffling.
Ancelotti thinks he knows why, and his analysis cuts to the heart of the issue. He believes Brazilian players’ deep love for their national team can sometimes work against them, creating pressure that prevents natural performance. In other words, these players care so much about representing Brazil that they end up overthinking everything.
It’s a fascinating psychological insight from someone who’s managed at the highest level for over two decades. Ancelotti has seen how pressure can transform world-class players into nervous shadows of themselves. His job now is figuring out how to create an environment where Vinícius and others can play with the same freedom they show at club level.
Neymar’s absence speaks volumes about standards
The decision to leave out Neymar isn’t just about his recent injury history, though that certainly plays a part. The Santos forward has been dealing with fitness issues and hasn’t played for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered that devastating ACL and meniscus injury. But Ancelotti’s reasoning goes deeper than just medical concerns.
The new coach has made it clear that he prioritizes players who are in optimal physical condition, and that simple philosophy carries enormous weight. In international football, where you only get brief windows to work with players, fitness and form are everything. You can’t afford to carry passengers or hope that reputation alone will translate to performance.
This represents a fundamental shift in how Brazil approaches player selection. For years, certain players were considered automatic picks regardless of their current form or fitness level. Ancelotti is making it clear that those days are over. Merit and current ability matter more than past achievements or global brand recognition.
World Cup qualification hangs in the balance
The stakes for these upcoming matches against Ecuador and Paraguay couldn’t be higher. Brazil’s fourth-place position in South American qualifying isn’t just disappointing—it’s dangerous. Only the top six teams qualify automatically, with the seventh-place team entering an intercontinental playoff. For a nation that’s won the World Cup five times, even being in this conversation is unacceptable.
Ancelotti understands that his tenure will be judged primarily on whether he can guide Brazil to the 2026 World Cup. Everything else—tactical innovations, player development, long-term planning—becomes irrelevant if they fail to qualify. The pressure is immense, but that’s exactly the kind of high-stakes environment where Ancelotti has thrived throughout his career.
The squad he’s assembled reflects someone who’s prioritizing immediate results over long-term development. Veterans like Casemiro bring experience and leadership, while in-form players like Raphinha provide the technical quality needed to break down organized defenses. It’s a pragmatic approach from someone who knows that Brazil can’t afford any more dropped points.
A new philosophy takes shape
What emerges from Ancelotti’s first squad selection is a clear philosophy: form over reputation, commitment over talent alone, team needs over individual brilliance. It’s a approach that might ruffle feathers in the short term but could be exactly what Brazil needs to rediscover their winning mentality.
The inclusion of players like Estêvão from Palmeiras shows that Ancelotti isn’t afraid to blood young talent when they deserve it. At the same time, the recall of experienced campaigners like Casemiro demonstrates his understanding that international football often comes down to mental strength and big-game experience.
This is Ancelotti at his most decisive, making the kind of bold choices that separate great coaches from good ones. By leaving out Neymar and reshaping the squad around form and fitness rather than reputation, he’s setting new standards that could define Brazilian football for years to come. The question now is whether these decisions will translate into the results that Brazil desperately needs.
