Is Carlo Ancelotti an ambitious man? The Italian leans back and smiles. “Me? I’m not ambitious. Why? Why are you asking that?” The reason for the question is simple: at 66, he’s one of the most successful managers ever, with five Champions League titles and league wins in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. But he still wants more. Last May, he was appointed head coach of Brazil with one goal: to win the World Cup.
“I’m not obsessed with winning,” Ancelotti says. “What I have is a passion for enjoying the moments that football has given me. I’m not obsessed with winning the World Cup, but I take pleasure and passion in enjoying the moment I’m living in, leading the most important national team in the world.”
Having played in the World Cup, this is the first time Ancelotti will lead a team in the tournament. His job is to put Brazil back on top of the world and end a drought that goes back to 2002, which matches the longest period the country has gone without winning the World Cup since the dry spell from 1970 to 1994. Ancelotti doesn’t seem worried, though, and one reason is his love for the sport. He may have spent 47 years at the very top—16 as a player and 31 as a head coach—but what stands out during our long interview is that he hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for his work. He’s here because he’s in love with football.
“I couldn’t live without football,” he says. “If I’m no longer on the pitch, I’ll be there as a fan watching the match. For me, watching a match on TV isn’t work. It’s a pleasure. I really love cinema. For me, football is like the pleasure of watching a film. It’s the same feeling. The day I stop working in football, I’ll still watch in the same way, without any problem.”
Many players consider Ancelotti the best coach they’ve ever worked with—Kaká, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, and Vinícius Júnior, to name a few. So what makes him so special? “I really don’t know,” he says with a laugh. “Maybe it’s my attitude, the way I behave towards the players, the respect I show them as people. I place great value on building those personal relationships.”
“A manager’s job is very difficult because you have to manage so many things. There’s the relationship with the players, with the club, with the press, with the fans. There are so many aspects of this job that you have to handle. The most challenging of those is the relationship with people—and it’s also the most important.”
Despite all the trophies he has won, Ancelotti is sometimes dismissed as a “man-management coach”—someone who succeeds because he’s good with people but maybe not with tactics. He pays no attention to those claims. “I don’t win titles just because of my relationship with the players,” he says. “The good relationships I have with players help because they allow you to get the most out of the player. Sometimes even more than the maximum. But that’s just one part of the game. It doesn’t matter to me whether people say I am or I am not a good tactician. All I can say is that I know all aspects of the game very well.”
Ancelotti will extend his contract with Brazil until the 2030 World Cup, by which time he will be 70. The oldest manager in the Premier League is David Moyes at 63. In Brazil’s top league, only three managers are in their 60s, and all of them are younger than Ancelotti. “Football continues to change,” he says. “I try to adapt to what’s happening.”Today’s game is more analytical, much more intense, and more physical. Some tactics, especially defensive ones, aren’t as important now as they were ten years ago. The new generation of coaches focuses more on attacking play than on defense.
Even though he’s only been in charge of Brazil for a short time, Ancelotti feels he has a good understanding of the country and its players. He’s worked with more than 40 Brazilian footballers over his career, and that experience helped him get the job. “I really like the Brazilian spirit,” he says. “Brazilians have a special love for the yellow jersey. That deep love for the national team is very Brazilian. In other countries, the national team isn’t as important as it is in Brazil. Brazil has kept its own culture. It’s a country that knows how to value family and religion. These are things Europe has lost. In sports, Europeans don’t have the same passion for the national team shirt. I really admire the joy of the Brazilian people, the country’s energy, and the beauty of Rio de Janeiro. That’s very clear, especially during carnival. I really like Brazil.”
Ancelotti mentioning religion is significant. Like Italy, more than half of Brazil’s population is Catholic. Faith guides their principles and teaches life lessons. “Religion has taught me good things, like how to behave in life and how to respect others,” Ancelotti says. “I am Catholic, and religion has been very important to me. It has taught me to be a good person in the world.” Does he pray for the injury problems to stop? “Ha, yes,” Ancelotti says with a laugh, before turning more serious. “It’s a concern. We’ve already had three major injuries. I hope we don’t have any more problems before the World Cup.”
Brazil, ranked sixth in the world, has already lost Éder Militão and Rodrygo, and Estêvão is a serious doubt. This has made Ancelotti’s job even harder. He has only been in charge for ten games, with five wins, two draws, and three losses. While trying to figure out his best starting lineup, Ancelotti is attempting to repeat what he did at Real Madrid in 2024: making Vinícius the best player in the world. With Brazil, the 25-year-old hasn’t been able to shine the same way. He has eight goals in 47 international games. But Ancelotti knows how to motivate the forward.
“Look, the responsibility he carries for Brazil is huge, especially recently,” Ancelotti says. “That responsibility can be a burden for him. Our job with the national team is to take some of that weight off his shoulders so he can play with joy, energy, and all the qualities he has. I see Vinícius the same way I saw him at Real Madrid: a spectacular player and a spectacular person who can win a match on his own. He’ll be very important for Brazil at the World Cup. But being the number one? The star player? We don’t need a number one. We can’t focus everything on just one player. We have to think as a team. That’s the only way to win the World Cup.”
Ancelotti is in a different position than most recent Brazil coaches, who gave all the responsibility to Neymar. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is now 34 and has struggled to stay fit. He has 79 goals for his country, but he hasn’t played a match for the Seleção since October 2023. Unsurprisingly, the Neymar issue is dominating the conversation in Brazil right now. A survey by the Datafolha institute showed that 53% of Brazilians want Neymar at the World Cup, while 34% are against it, and 13% are still undecided.During a visit to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Photograph: Rafael Ribeiro/Brazilian Football Confederation/AFP/Getty Images
The World Cup squad announcement is just days away – on 18 May – and Ancelotti is clear when asked about the possibility of including Neymar. “Neymar’s call-up depends only on him,” he says. “It depends on what the player shows on the pitch. That’s a very clear rule, and it’s not just for Neymar. With most players, you need to evaluate both talent and physical condition. With Neymar, we only need to check his physical condition because his talent is beyond doubt. It’s up to him, not me.”
Another experienced player hoping to be selected is former Chelsea and PSG centre-back Thiago Silva. At 41, he’s had a strong season at Porto and is aiming to play in his fifth World Cup. “Thiago Silva is on the radar, yes,” says Ancelotti. “He’s been playing very well, won the Portuguese league, and is in great physical shape.”
“Leaders are important. Luckily, this squad has highly respected leaders. Leaders who don’t say much but lead by example, like Alisson, Casemiro, Marquinhos, and Raphinha. In that sense, the squad is in good hands.”
This will be Ancelotti’s fourth World Cup. He played for Italy in 1986 and 1990, and was an assistant coach to Arrigo Sacchi the last time the tournament was held in North America, in 1994. Returning to the US after 32 years brings a mix of happiness and nostalgia for the coach, whose team reached the final that year, losing on penalties to … Brazil.
Some things have changed – for the better, according to Ancelotti. “In 1994, the matches were at midday in New York with temperatures of 43°C (109°F). Now the kick-off times are better. The weather won’t be a problem like it was in 1994.”
When Ancelotti was appointed, most headlines in Brazil said he had swapped the biggest club in the world for the most important national team. There are similarities, Ancelotti admits, but also many differences. “They’re different ways of working for a manager,” he says. “But the most important thing I learned at Real Madrid, and which I use in Brazil, is high standards. When you’re demanding, you have a better chance of winning. Real Madrid is the most successful club in the world because the club demands a lot from everyone who works there. If you’re demanding, you get the best out of everyone.”
A dog lover, Ancelotti sees animals as a refuge from football’s problems. “I have three dogs who are in Canada,” he says. “A dog isn’t a person, but it’s more loyal than a person. A dog doesn’t care if you win or lose. They don’t blame you. When you get home, whether you’ve won or lost, the dog doesn’t care. The important thing is that you’re home with them.”
So, what will it take for Brazil – who face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in their group – to become world champions? “Talent,” Ancelotti says. “I have a very talented squad. Also, the motivation this country has to win again after 24 years is enormous. I’m convinced we’re going to have a great World Cup.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on Carlo Ancelottis statement about Neymar covering different angles
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Did Carlo Ancelotti really say that Neymars selection depends only on him
Yes In a press conference Ancelotti stated that whether Neymar gets picked for the Brazilian national team is entirely up to Neymars own performances on the pitch
2 What does selection depends only on him mean
It means that Ancelotti wont decide based on Neymars fame past reputation or personal relationships The only thing that matters is how well Neymar plays in matches and training
3 Is Ancelotti saying Neymar is guaranteed a spot
No Hes saying Neymar has the power to earn a spot by playing well If he doesnt perform he wont be selected
4 Does this mean Ancelotti doesnt like Neymar
Not at all Its a standard professional approach Ancelotti is simply saying that selection is based on merit not personal feelings
IntermediateLevel Questions
5 Why would Ancelotti make this statement publicly
To send a clear message to Neymar and other players there are no special privileges It also manages media expectations making it clear that Neymars form not his name will decide his place
6 Does this apply to all players on Ancelottis team or just Neymar
It applies to everyone Ancelotti is known for treating all players equally However he specifically mentioned Neymar because there is often public debate about Neymars role and commitment
7 What shows on the field does Ancelotti look for
He looks for consistent performance goals assists work rate defensive contribution and how well Neymar fits the teams tactics Its not just one great game but sustained quality
8 Could Neymar still be left out even if he plays well
Theoretically if another player is performing even better in the same position Neymar could be benched But Ancelottis point is that Neymars own good form
