Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed the moment he decided to call superstar Neymar up to the national squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 slated to be held in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti opened up that Neymar’s consistent showings for boyhood club Santos on his return convinced him to hand the star forward the national team slot despite injury concerns.
“When did I decide to call up Neymar? The moment he started playing consistently in the Brasileirão. In the last period, after the March FIFA international break. In April he played consistently and at a good level,” Ancelotti said.
“Yes, I felt the clamor. From all sides, stadiums, airports, restaurants, everywhere. I didn’t call him up because of that, certainly not.”
“It’s normal, that’s
how you understand how important football is in this country,” the Brazil gaffer added.
Brazil roped in the most successful manager in European club football with the sole objective of delivering the most successful nation on the international scene their elusive sixth crown.
Brazil, who have won the most coveted title on the planet a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, haven’t managed to replicate their success since and will look to put an end to a wait of over two decades, when the spectacle gets underway in the USA, Canada and Mexico in June.
The CBF, Brazilian Football Confederation, have roped in the seasoned Italian Ancelotti in hopes of delivering the prized title back to its spiritual home, and the 66-year-old would pull out all the stops in his quest for the World Cup crown.
Ancelotti’s record speaks for itself as the Italian is the only man to manage to win the UEFA Champions League title as many as five teams, twice with AC Milan and thrice with Real Madrid.
The football-mad nation would pin their hopes on the veteran gaffer to deliver the biggest prize in the world of sport to the South American nation after 24 years.
