Carlo Ancelotti has already set his sights on the future of the Brazilian national team, with the Italian coach clearly prioritizing young players as part of the “Seleção’s” renewal.
At the same time, the experienced coach also addressed the case of Neymar, effectively putting an end to speculation about his return to the national team. As he revealed, the 34-year-old Santos star has made it clear that he does not wish to wear the Brazilian jersey again.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“He deserved to be there because of his abilities. Neymar has already confirmed that he does not wish to return to the national team,” Ancelotti said in an interview with CNN Esportes.
The Italian coach, in fact, defended his decision to include Neymar in the roster for the recent World Cup, despite the criticism the Brazilian faced for his performance in the tournament.
“He’s irreplaceable, as he possessed exceptional and unique talent. Therefore, he’s a player who cannot be replaced,” he emphasized.
At the same time, Ancelotti has already begun paving the way for Brazil’s new generation. The latest call-ups to the “Seleção” include several new faces, as the 67-year-old coach aims to develop players who can form the backbone of the team in the coming years.
“We have to take it step by step. For the first game and the upcoming friendlies leading up to the World Cup, we need to focus on the young players who could be the future—those born in 2004, 2005, and 2006,” he noted.
At the same time, Ancelotti revealed that there is even greater talent among the younger age groups, specifically mentioning players born in 2008 who, in his estimation, could soon make the leap to the top level.
*photo source: AP
