Tite avoids Ancelotti squad talk, hails Neymar: “Exceptional qualities” | OneFootball

The months leading up to a World Cup generate great expectations regarding the squad list. This is the scenario that coach Carlo Ancelotti is experiencing, as he will lead the Brazilian National Team for the first time in the competition. Brazil's coach in the last World Cup, Tite, when asked about the possible call-up of Neymar, avoided giving his opinion on the Italian's list but praised the midfielder from Santos.

“I won't get into the concept of calling up or not, that's a personal and momentary thing. What I can say is that Neymar has exceptional qualities to play in zone 14, that area where he gets five balls and will miss three, but will be decisive in two. He is a player with extraordinary technical quality,” he said in an interview after participating in the Bola de Prata.

Tite participated in the award ceremony and announced the best coaches of the Brasileirão. Filipe Luís, from Flamengo, was chosen as the best male coach, and Lucas Piccinato, from Corinthians, in the female category.

Since Ancelotti took over the Brazilian National Team, Neymar has not been called up once. The star returned to Santos at the beginning of this year, aiming for a new call-up but was hindered by a series of injuries.

Recent history of Neymar in the National Team

Neymar was last called to the National Team in March this year, when the coach was still Dorival Júnior, now at Corinthians. However, the star was removed from the squad after presenting a problem in his left thigh.

The number 10 from Santos hasn't played for Brazil since October 17, 2023, in the 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in the Qualifiers. On that occasion, the player was a starter. In total, he has 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 matches for the Canarinho.

Tite wants to see the National Team only as a fan

Tite led the Brazilian National Team in two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and in both, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. The coach revealed that now he wants to avoid looking at the team with a coach's perspective and wishes to remain just a fan.

“I understand the question, I understand you seeking opinions, but you have a fan here. A fan for the National Team, for a series of athletes who worked with me and remain. A cheer for Diniz, when he was there, I told him this, Dorival in the same way and now Ancelotti. I will allow myself to be a little further back, watching and cheering for the National Team,” he concluded.

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