Estêvão on the rise, progress and lessons: Ancelotti’s Brazil in 2025 | OneFootball

The Brazilian National Team closed out the year 2025 showing progress under the command of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, but with mistakes that should serve as lessons for next year’s World Cup.

See also: All the news from Gazeta Esportiva See the news from Brasileirão 2025 Check out the Gazeta Esportiva channel on YouTube Follow Gazeta Esportiva on Instagram

“I think the team, the environment, are on the right path to reach the highest level at the World Cup,” commented Ancelotti after the 1-1 draw with Tunisia in a friendly on Tuesday, in Lille (France), with a penalty goal by Estêvão.

Three days earlier, in London, Brazil beat Senegal 2-0. Estêvão and Casemiro scored.

“I have a lot of confidence in this team and these players,” added the Italian coach, who began his tenure with the National Team in June under the pressure of having to rebuild a team in crisis.

Estêvão on the rise

At 18 years old, Estêvão has been the standout for Ancelotti’s Brazil.

With five goals in seven games, the young Chelsea forward has established himself despite fierce competition, with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and the injured Raphinha as alternatives for the wings.

“It’s a very special year (…) Being here with the National Team means the work is being well done,” said the player.

At Chelsea, Estêvão has one goal and one assist in ten Premier League matches.

“For me, it’s a surprise to see such a young player with this kind of talent (…). With him, Brazil has a guaranteed future,” praised Carletto.

“A clear idea”

Brazil had an up-and-down campaign in the South American Qualifiers for the World Cup, with three coaches: Fernando Diniz, Dorival Júnior, and finally, Ancelotti.

“We had a very tough start, a post-World Cup [2022, in Qatar] transition,” analyzed captain Marquinhos.

“The team is gaining more stability. We have a lot to improve, we know that. In football, there’s no formula for success,” added the Paris Saint-Germain defender.

With Ancelotti, the National Team “stopped the bleeding” of conceded goals.

In 16 matches with Dorival Júnior, the team conceded 21 goals; in eight with Ancelotti, only five. And in five games, the defense was not breached.

“Positive feelings (…) Now we have a clear idea of how to play and how to defend, it makes a big difference,” said Rodrygo.

For this defensive solidity, the balance provided by the midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães was fundamental.

The sacrifice of both made Ancelotti’s gamble on a system with Estêvão, Vini, Rodrygo, and Matheus Cunha up front possible.

“Lessons”

Despite the progress, Brazil paid a high price for some individual mistakes.

A mistake by defender Fabrício Bruno when the National Team was leading 2-0 paved the way for Japan’s comeback to win 3-2 in a friendly played in October, in Tokyo.

Last Tuesday, a ball lost by full-back Wesley led to Tunisia’s goal.

Ancelotti acknowledged the difficulties in breaking down an opponent that defended with a back five, a situation he will certainly encounter at the World Cup.

He tried to add more creativity to the midfield by bringing on Lucas Paquetá, but it wasn’t the West Ham player’s day, as he missed a penalty.

“In the second half, the team did, considering the difficulties and the little space, what it had to do,” said the Italian, highlighting that Brazil had chances to come away with the win.

“We wanted to win, but we have many lessons to take from here,” emphasized Marquinhos.

And Neymar?

Ancelotti is already planning the team to pursue the long-awaited sixth title at the 2026 World Cup. However, there are still some positions that remain uncertain, such as the full-backs.

Using Éder Militão on the right indicates doubts in a role that Vanderson, Paulo Henrique, and Vitinho are also candidates to fill.

On the left side, there is also no clear choice, with Alex Sandro and Caio Henrique tested in the last friendlies of the year.

Moreover, Ancelotti has yet to find a true number 9, initially opting for the mobility and versatility of Matheus Cunha. Richarlison, João Pedro, and Vitor Roque are other options.

And there are also lingering doubts about Neymar.

The 33-year-old star was not called up by Ancelotti amid recurring injuries, but the Italian keeps the door open.

“Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now, there are six months left until the final list. We have to observe him and the others to try not to make mistakes in the definitive list,” said the coach.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.