Ancelotti Risks Neymar Fallout by Building Brazil Around Vinicius

Carlo Ancelotti has caused controversy as Brazil coach by prioritizing Vinícius Júnior and sidelining Neymar. The Italian believes Neymar’s time is over and prefers building a younger team around Vinícius and Rodrygo. Neymar hit back on social media, insisting he is fit, escalating tensions that could threaten Ancelotti’s future with the Canarinha.

When the Brazilian Football Confederation appointed Carlo Ancelotti as national team coach, few expected his first months to be marked by a storm. The Italian manager has placed his complete trust in Vinícius Júnior, the Real Madrid forward he nurtured in Spain, and now plans to build the Seleção around him. This bold move, however, has come at the expense of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer and a cultural icon for over a decade.

Ancelotti views Neymar not only as tactically overlapping with Vinícius but also as a personal complication. For the coach, keeping Neymar on the bench risks locker room unrest, so he has opted to exclude him altogether. Neymar, never one to stay quiet, fired back on social media, denying claims of physical issues and suggesting his absence is purely a technical decision.

Ancelotti’s reliance on familiar names like Vinícius and Rodrygo reflects his belief in a generational transition for Brazil. While this strategy may inject hunger and freshness, it carries enormous risk, as millions of fans remain loyal to Neymar. The clash between Brazil’s beloved star and its new coach could define Ancelotti’s tenure. History shows that few managers survive when they challenge the country’s biggest idol.