Ancelotti’s Brazil gamble: Neymar’s absence exposes Selecao’s flaws

Carlo Ancelotti’s first World Cup match in charge of Brazil arrives with a twist: Neymar will not be on the pitch. The Seleção’s talisman is set to miss the opener against Morocco, a setback that forces Ancelotti to confront the squad’s lingering structural fragilities before a global audience. The Italian’s calm exterior masks a high-stakes gamble—one that hinges on whether his leadership can compensate for a Brazil side that, despite its attacking pedigree, has yet to rediscover the cohesion that defined its golden eras.

Ancelotti’s calm amid Brazil’s 24-year void

Brazil’s last World Cup triumph came in 2002, a generation ago. Since then, the Seleção has failed to progress past the quarterfinals in four of five tournaments, a drought that has eroded the nation’s once-unassailable reputation as the game’s stylistic vanguard. Ancelotti, speaking ahead of his debut as Brazil’s manager, framed the challenge as both an honor and a responsibility. “It’s an honour to represent the country of football and the most decorated national team in the world,” he said. “It’s a beautiful moment for me.” Yet the weight of history looms large: Brazil are no longer the automatic favorites, and their path to a record-extending sixth title demands more than just star power.

The squad’s attacking talent—Vinícius Júnior among them—has spoken of their ambition to “change history,” but the absence of Neymar exposes a deeper issue. The Seleção’s struggles are not merely tactical; they reflect a broader identity crisis. Where once Brazil’s flair was synonymous with creativity and joy, their modern iteration has often lacked the midfield control and defensive solidity that defined past triumphs. Ancelotti’s arrival has brought stability, but the World Cup’s unforgiving format offers little room for gradual improvement.

Neymar’s recall: faith over logic?

Ancelotti’s decision to recall Neymar, despite the striker’s patchy recent form and fitness concerns, is a calculated risk. The 34-year-old has not played for Brazil since 2023, and his eight appearances for Santos this year—all at home—hardly constitute a rigorous return to top-level competition. Yet the emotional pull of his potential swan song has overridden practical objections. As Cafu, Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning captain, noted: “Neymar can be important for any team. Seeing Neymar playing well, physically and technically, that can help the Brazil team a lot.”

The gamble is that Neymar’s presence alone can elevate the squad’s morale and creativity, even if his physical condition remains a question mark. His history with the national team is one of near-misses: a missed call-up in 2010, a tournament-ending injury in 2014, and a quarter-final exit in 2022 after he scored a dramatic extra-time goal only for Croatia to level in the 117th minute. Ancelotti’s faith in Neymar’s ability to recapture his magic is a leap, but Brazil’s desperate need for a talisman may justify the leap of faith.

Can Ancelotti’s pragmatism mask Brazil’s flaws?

Ancelotti’s appointment was a response to Brazil’s years of instability under domestic coaches, who presided over a chaotic qualifying campaign and a disappointing Copa América. The Italian’s arrival has brought a sense of order, but his methods have not been without controversy. His squad selection, particularly the inclusion of veterans like Neymar, reflects a preference for experience over the kind of radical restructuring that might address Brazil’s deeper issues.

The Seleção’s defensive frailties have been a recurring theme, and their ability to tighten up against Morocco will be a critical early test. Ancelotti’s assertion that “this is a team which can compete with anyone” is aspirational rather than definitive. Brazil possess technical quality and experience, but their cohesion remains unproven. The World Cup’s format, with its high-pressure knockout stages, demands resilience as much as talent. If Ancelotti’s pragmatism cannot compensate for the squad’s structural weaknesses, Brazil’s 24-year wait for glory may well continue.

Ancelotti’s reckoning

Brazil’s opening match against Morocco is more than a game; it is an early audition for Ancelotti’s project. Without Neymar, the Seleção must rely on collective resolve to overcome a tactical challenge. Vinícius Júnior’s confidence is palpable—”We’re coming in to be the winners”—but confidence alone has not been enough in recent tournaments. Ancelotti’s calm demeanor suggests he understands the stakes, yet the World Cup does not reward calm alone.

The question is whether Brazil’s attacking firepower can mask their defensive vulnerabilities. Ancelotti’s Brazil may not play with the swagger of past generations, but if they can grind out results while gradually refining their shape, they remain contenders. The alternative—a repeat of past failures—would confirm that even a coach of Ancelotti’s pedigree cannot conjure cohesion from chaos overnight. For a nation that has waited a quarter-century for a sixth star, the margin for error is nonexistent.