Danilo Santos says he's ready to play anywhere in midfield | OneFootball

Expected to start in Thursday’s (31) match against Croatia in Orlando, Danilo Santos said he is available to coach Carlo Ancelotti to play in any midfield position. In a press conference held this Sunday at the Brazilian delegation’s hotel in the U.S., the Botafogo player made it clear that he wants to make the most of the opportunity in the last FIFA window before the final World Cup squad is announced.

He already came on during the previous friendly, in which Brazil was beaten 2-1 by France, and played a part in the goal scored by center back Bremer.

At Sunday’s training session at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, he received special attention from Ancelotti. Now, he will wait for the coach’s decision.

“We rotated in training, but nobody knows the team yet. We’ll only know tomorrow or Tuesday, when he (Ancelotti) gives the lineup, but if needed, I’m ready to come in and do my best. I do feel comfortable, yes (playing further forward). In all three midfield positions, I’m confident,” he said.

Danilo sees living alongside his national team teammates as a constant learning experience. As an example, he mentioned the mutual respect he has for Casemiro, whose advice he listens to.

“Casemiro is a reference. Since my first call-up, he’s spoken to me and given me some tips. Now I’m able to learn even more from him—movement, forward passing. I’m very happy to work with him again.”

The Botafogo player was coached by Davide Ancelotti and is now experiencing what it is like to work with Carlo AncelottiCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

In the interview, he was asked about the experience of having been coached at Botafogo by Davide Ancelotti (until December 2025) and now enjoying the opportunity to be coached by Carlo Ancelotti, Davide’s father.

“I started with Davide last year. Everyone says my call-up has a bit of his influence. But it’s also because of what I’ve been doing at Botafogo—thank God, I’m the team’s second-highest scorer and I’ve been playing well. Of course, the team’s form isn’t good, but besides working with Davide, my role on the pitch day to day helped a lot for me to be here. It’s a privilege for me to work with both of them. I believe they have the same approach to the job. I’m very happy to be with them and to gain more experience with Carlo Ancelotti.”

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