States » EastPosted at: Oct 2 2026 11:14PM


The happiness of playing football should never disappear from the Selecao: Ancelotti

By Sirshendu Panth
Kolkata, Oct 2 (UNI) Brazilian head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Friday mentioned commitment, quality and, above all, the happiness of playing football as the characteristics that he would never want his team to lose.
Ancelotti came up with the reply during the Brazilian team’s customary media meet on the eve of their FIFA International Friendly game against India at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan here.
Asked to name one characteristic of the Brazilian football team that he would never want to see disappear from the team, the celebrated Italian manager said: “The commitment, of course, is very important, and quality too. The happiness of playing football is really important for resilience. Happiness is an important quality that Brazilians have as part of their culture.
“So I would like the players to be able to play and enjoy that happiness every year. They sometimes feel the pressure of the game. Then you forget what football is. Football is a sport.”
The 67-year-old Ancelotti, who was appointed Brazil head coach in May 2025 ahead of the 2026 World Cup, said the just-concluded tour to Australia and the ongoing trip to India presented an “opportunity” to the new-look side.
“We have respect for the team. We are looking at their quality and their characteristics. We've been working to improve because we are starting a new cycle with new players.”
“So, for the squad this is not a test; this is an opportunity,” he asserted.
The team included only eight players who had done duty for Brazil in the recent World Cup. Twelve players were uncapped before the start of the Australian leg of the trip.
To a poser from an Indian scribe on how he manages to stay so calm even in crunch moments, a smiling Ancelotti said: “I don't know... that’s my characteristic. I am usually a really calm and patient person. You have to be patient in football.”
Ancelotti also refused to spell out his first eleven for Saturday’s game.
On Brazil’s disappointing show in the recent World Cup, he said, “We did not progress much. So this period is important for us to be able to prepare and do our best in the next few years.”
He said it was a pleasure to work with the new squad members during these FIFA international games. “Not only them, but a few other players have also worked very well. It has been a great experience, bringing together great synergy and energy to the overall squad.”
The redoubtable manager, who has five Champions League titles under his belt, said training a club is a different ball game.
“You have to be more focused on the selection of the players. We don't have a lot of time to work, but at the same time, it's very exciting.”
The diplomat in Ancelotti came out when he was asked about Brazil’s inability to lift the World Cup after 2002. “I can only answer this question about what happened in 2026. I was not there earlier.”
However, he added that the 2002 team had loads of talent.
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