Ancelotti: ‘An honour to lead world’s greatest team, Brazil’ | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti said ‘it is a great honour to lead the best national team in the world’ after taking the Brazil job, then called up Inter defender Carlos Augusto and Atalanta’s Ederson.

He was presented to the media in a huge press conference this evening, where he announced his first squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari presented Ancelotti with his own Brazil jersey.

Ancelotti welcomed to Brazil as new hope

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MAY 25: Carlo Ancelotti arrives in Galeao International Airport in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to coach the Brazilian National Team on May 25, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

“The first impression is that it’s a great honour to lead the best national team in the world,” said Ancelotti in Spanish.

“I realise and hope Brazil want to be champions again. I received a lot of affection, I know we’re going to do very well. I thank the CBF for bringing me here, and Real Madrid for giving me the opportunity to negotiate.”

He presented his management staff for the Brazil job, which will include former Parma goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel.

“My connection with Brazil goes a long way back to teammates like Falcao, Tonino Cerezo and more,” explained Ancelotti.

“I also coached so many Brazilian players, like Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Pato, Kaka, Douglas Costa, Marcelo, Cafu, Dida, Roque Junior, Emerson, Marcio Amoroso, up to the most recent at Real Madrid like Militao, Endrick, Rodrygo.

“This connection with Brazil therefore started very early in my career, yet this is the first time I have ever been to Rio de Janeiro.”

Ancelotti looks to Serie A for Brazil squad

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

There were video messages from former players, coaches and fans during the presentation.

“Going to a World Cup is not just the objective of 23 players, it is the objective of an entire country. Everyone in Brazil cheers on the team and that is something we need to remember.”

He read out the first Brazil squad of his tenure while sitting at the desk, rather than having them released in written form.

Curiously, this included Inter defender Carlos Augusto, who only received two caps in 2023.

Atalanta midfielder Ederson was also in the group, having been a late addition to the most recent squad only due to injuries elsewhere.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Ederson of Atalanta reacts as he leaves the pitch being shown a red card during the Serie A match between Atalanta and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It was put to Ancelotti that though nobody has won more World Cup trophies than Brazil and Italy, neither of them have won the tournament for decades.

“Football has eras and generations, these can affect the results. I believe Italy and Brazil will be competitive again next year,” noted the coach.

“Italy worked really hard and Brazil have always been at a high level. For example, Brazil had arguably the best squad in 1982, but Italy won because you need to combine talent with the spirit of sacrifice and hard work in order to succeed.”

The tactician turns 66 next month and today begins the latest chapter of his extraordinary career, as coach of the Brazil national squad.

It is the first international role as head coach after club roles at Reggiana, Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid (twice), Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton.

Ancelotti is the only man in history to have won all five of the European big five League titles, as well as five editions of the Champions League (two for Milan, three at Real Madrid).

His first job as a coach was assistant manager to Arrigo Sacchi for the Italy side from 1992 to 1995.