🤔 Why Ancelotti made Danilo 🇧🇷’s 1st call-up for the Copa | OneFootball

If someone had said a few months ago that Danilo would be the first player confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti for the World Cup, you probably would have doubted it a little, right?

No one can say anything against his solid and successful career, but the 34-year-old defender is currently not even an undisputed starter at his club, Flamengo, which raises some doubts about his role in the Brazilian National Team.

So what motivated the Italian coach to back the veteran so early?

According to ge, the justification goes beyond what happens on the pitch and is based on pillars such as versatility, leadership, and generational transition.

Check below the points highlighted by the Globo group’s website.

Defensive wildcard

For Ancelotti, Danilo’s versatility is a major difference-maker.

The player can perform reliably in any position across the defensive line, whether as a full-back on either side or as a center-back.

During the current cycle, the coaching staff tested 15 different names in the sector, but none of the younger players delivered the same tactical reliability.

Even though he has been on Flamengo’s bench in some recent matches for technical reasons, since Léo Ortiz claimed a starting spot, the Italian’s assessment is based on the excellent physical and performance numbers the player has been showing internally.

Consistency and a strong voice

Danilo has been called up by all four coaches who have led Brazil since the Qatar World Cup (Ramon Menezes, Fernando Diniz, Dorival Júnior, and Ancelotti), wearing the captain’s armband in ten matches.

Off the field, his attitude is even more influential. The defender has never shied away from difficult questions, even publicly calling out the CBF leadership during moments of disorganization.

This leadership profile has strengthened even more his bond of loyalty with Ancelotti, who has admired the player since 2015, when he recommended his signing for Real Madrid.

A shield for the younger players

With Brazil trying to avoid the longest title drought in its history, the pressure on the youngsters who will play in the World Cup for the first time is enormous.

Ancelotti is counting on Danilo, alongside Alisson, Casemiro, and Marquinhos, to form a protective quartet.

The mission of these veterans is to guide the new generation and ensure a smooth transition, avoiding the abrupt and harmful break that happened between the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Within this group, Danilo is seen as the figure with the best profile to talk to and advise the newly arrived talents.

So, guys, what did you think of Danilo’s confirmation for the World Cup?

Share your opinion in the comments!

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

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