Carlo Ancelotti embraces Brazil, from Portuguese lessons to beach walks and churrasco | OneFootball

In his first year in charge of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti has thrown himself into the language and life, from walks along Barra da Tijuca to leading a singalong of the national anthem during a squad initiation.

According to Globo.com, he undertook an intensive Portuguese course before arriving, taking nearly 20 video lessons across July and August focused on football vocabulary, and he has an agreement to extend his Brazil contract to the 2030 World Cup, with an announcement expected by Monday.

He kept up the studies via a smartphone app while abroad and insisted on speaking Portuguese in Brazil, even scheduling four classes a week to prepare for his late August news conference. He remains committed to improving fluency, though past-tense verbs still cause the most difficulty.

Based between Vancouver and a seafront flat in Barra, he takes early, incognito strolls and has developed a taste for churrascarias, favouring rare cuts, grilled vegetables and polenta. He usually books a private space, yet still greets fans, and on hot days swaps wine for Brazilian beer.

He is particular about pasta, preferring it al dente, and enjoys cooking for friends when time allows. Colleagues describe a calm, inclusive leader who is exacting without darkening the mood.

The international rhythm suits him and he has engaged in talks on player development and the domestic game. At 17:00 at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio, he will name 26 players to pursue a sixth world title, with son Davide, 36, on his staff.

Source: Globo.com