Ancelotti announces Brazilian national team list, without Neymar and Rodrigo

The old coach Ancelotti has no holiday. After a peaceful break with Real Madrid, he quickly arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and began to fulfill his duties as the new head coach of the Brazilian national team. In the early morning of May 27, Ancelotti announced the first Brazilian team list after taking office, including Neymar and Rodrigo.

Rodrigo was Ancelotti's favorite player when coaching Real Madrid. This time he had communicated with his mentor. He was not selected for the national team for this period due to physical fatigue, which is largely due to the transfer issue. Neymar has given people the impression of being a "playboy" who has been recovering from injuries over the years. Ancelotti didn't recruit him, maybe because he didn't want to destroy the atmosphere in the team.

33-year-old Neymar is the first scorer in Brazil's history. He has not been selected for the national team since October 2023 due to injury. After returning from injury, he participated in the last two games of the Santos club. Ancelotti explained why he didn't recruit Neymar: "I tried to choose players in my best form. Neymar has been plagued by injuries recently. Everyone knows that Neymar is an important player, and has been in the past and in the future."

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and Tottenham striker Richarlison are also players who have not been selected for Brazil since October 2023. Ancelotti recruited them this time. Casemiro was Ancelotti's favorite player when coaching Real Madrid, forming the famous "Celebration Three Midfielder" with Modric and Kroos. Ancelotti regards the 33-year-old Casemiro as the core of the midfield coaching Brazil. He said: "In my opinion, Casemiro is a great player. I am very lucky to coach him. I think the national team needs such a player with talent, willpower and extraordinary personal charisma. The Brazilian team never lacks talent. Casemiro's professional qualities, sacrifice and dedication are precious."

winger Anthony performed well after joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United in the winter transfer window this year. He was nicknamed "Yuan God" by fans. It is natural for him to return to the national team. In club competitions this season, Barcelona winger Rafinia and Arsenal winger Martinelli both made Real Madrid coach Ancelotti suffer, and they will listen to the teachings of the "head coach" in Brazil.

Ancelotti relies most on the forward line but his Real Madrid bet Vinicius. The best player in the 2023-2024 Champions League was named World Footballer last year and ranked second in the Golden Ball Awards. Since being selected for Brazil for the first time in 2019, Vinicius has made 39 appearances for Brazil and scored only 6 goals, and his performance is far inferior to Real Madrid. Ancelotti said: "Vinicius' performance in the national team and Real Madrid is in contrast, and the reason is difficult to explain, but I don't think he has shown his best self in the national team. He is an extraordinary player, hardworking and fighting spirit."

Compared with his heyday, the current Brazil team's starlight is bleak, and the current lineup is not complete. Gabriel, Militon and Bremer at the center back are absent due to injuries. On June 6, Brazil will challenge Ecuador away in the 2026 World Cup South America Qualifiers. On June 11, Ancelotti will make his home debut in coaching Brazil, facing Paraguay in the World Cup.

Brazil's players list:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Victory of Riyadh), Sousa (Corinthian);

Defenders: Ribero (Lier), Berardo (PSG), Marginhos (PSG), Ortiz (flamenco), Danilo (flamenco), Sandro (flamenco), Augusto (Inter Milan), Lima (flamenco), Wanderson (Monaco);

Midfielders: Pereira (Fulham), Guimarães (Newcastle), Santos (Strasbourg), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atlanta), Gerson (Framengo);

Forwards: Estewan (Palmeiras), Anthony (Real Betis), Martineli (Arsenal), Cunia (Wolves/Manchester United), Vinicius (Real Madrid), Rafina (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham)

Text丨Reporter Liu Yi