Ancelotti: With Brazil I’d beat Italy, club job next | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti is enjoying his new adventure as head coach of Brazil. Despite the unexpected misstep against Bolivia in El Alto—the first defeat of his tenure—the coach from Reggiolo remained calm and clear-headed in an interview with France Football.

Brazil, Ancelotti: “With the Seleção, I beat Italy. After the national team, only one club in my future”

From World Cup ambitions to his future on the bench, passing through Neymar and a possible clash with Italy: Ancelotti’s outline is clear.

A quick impact with the Seleção

The move to Rio de Janeiro marked a radical change in Ancelotti’s life, but the coach embraced it naturally: “The Brazilian Federation is well organized and there is great enthusiasm. The adaptation was simple, also thanks to the CBF staff.”

On the recent loss to Bolivia, Ancelotti showed serenity and pragmatism: “The obligation is to try, not necessarily to win the World Cup. No one is obliged to win, not even those who think they are the best. In six years at Real Madrid, I didn’t win six Champions Leagues, I won three. I think the next World Cup winner will be the team that defends best, not the one that attacks best.”

Italy versus Brazil? “The Seleção would win”

A question about Italy, his home country’s national team, was inevitable. When asked about a hypothetical Brazil-Italy match, Ancelotti smiled but had no doubts: “It would be complicated… but Brazil would win.”

A thought that reflects not only his confidence in his players, but also his belief that the Seleção still has superior individual potential.

Neymar and the choices of a head coach

The new role allows Ancelotti a different kind of management compared to clubs: less daily pressure, more freedom in selection. Neymar’s case is emblematic: “He is the most talented Brazilian player, but he needs to be at 100%, not 80%. Neymar is recovering well and will be able to participate in the World Cup if he is in top physical shape. It doesn’t matter if he returns in October or March, the goal is for him to be ready for June.”

A clear signal: talent alone is not enough, the ideal condition is needed to face a tournament that leaves no room for error.

The memory of PSG and the relationship with Al-Khelaifi

The interview also leaves room for a dive into his Parisian past: “I have great memories of my year and a half at PSG. There were some problems, but with Nasser (Al-Khelaifi) I maintained a great relationship. He even wanted to renew my contract. If I had wanted, I could have stayed. I was happy when PSG won the Champions League: they deserved it, they played at a very high level.”

After Brazil, only Real Madrid

On his future on the bench, Ancelotti leaves no room for interpretation: “I don’t think it will happen, but if there were a possibility, it would only be at Real Madrid.”

The Brazilian coach still looks fondly at his former players, from Mbappé—“easy to coach, already decisive”—to Vinícius, with whom he claims an excellent relationship. But for now, there is only one thought: to lift Brazil back up and lead them towards the 2026 World Cup.

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