Coach Carlo Ancelotti directed in Brazil's rehearsal at Emirtes Stadium, London, England, January 14, 2025. Image: Reuters

Ancelotti entered a whole new land during his training career. Although he had previously worked with 43 Brazilian players during his military tour, he had only once set foot in this South American country - in the early 2000s, as Juventus' coach on a scout ride.

Thus, when the agreement to lead the Brazilian team was reached in May 2025 after many negotiations, the Italian military leader understood that he had to immediately catch the beat. And he did.

During the first session in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti noted many of the personnel of the Brazilian Football League (CBF) attempted to speak Spanish, even Italian with him. "No, no," he smiled in response. "I'm the one who's trying to speak Portuguese here".

The 66-year-old coach understood that in order to conquer a football background that was always proud of the identity and traditions like Brazil, he needed real effort from himself. He hired Portuguese teachers and maintained four classes each week.

"I am very surprised with his determination," said Roberto Piantino - The Portuguese teacher of Ancelotti - Shared with BBC Sport. "One time we finished school on Friday, I asked when to study again, he always said: 'to-morrow'. But it was Saturday. And he studied at 9:00 a.m. from Vancouver, where he lived with his wife."

According to Piantino, this seriousness is not temporary but repeated several times, indicating the determination to fit in with Ancelotti.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti (right) spoke to Neymar after Brazil's match over Panama 6-2 on Maracana's yard, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil night 31/5/2026. Image: AP

Winning 6-2 before Panama in the "heating" game on the 2026 World Cup platform brought many positive signals. However, Ancelotti understood that he would need more than that — including language ability – to face the greatest challenge: to help Brazil avoid the sad record of not being able to win the World Cup for over two decades.

The closest "Selecao" to the coronation was 2002, with the generation of legends such as Ronaldo Nazario, Chandrado, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos or Cafu. Brazil never experienced six consecutive World Cups that were not championed.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti received a gift on his visit to CBF headquarters before leaving for the 2026 World Cup. Image: CBF

However, it was only a single moment in Ancelotti's journey in Brazil. Although the results were unstable (6 win, 2 draw, 3 lose 11 games), Quaest's survey showed 41% of the fans supporting Ancelotti, while 29% protested. CBF also expressed its support by extension of the contract to 2030, even before Ancelotti attended the first World Cup team.

According to BBC Sport, although receiving the contract draft from early April, he delayed signing for about a month because he wanted three CBF employees - those who helped him adapt in Brazil - were also extended to 2030.

"He is a palm", former 1994 World Cup Champion Leonardo, who once worked with Ancelotti at AC Milan and PSG both as player and leader, said. "He adapted to people, teams, players. He was champion in adaptation. If I buy a team, my coach will be Carlo. No other option".

Although Brazil went through a period of chaos - replacing 4 coaches, the president of the league was deposed and the worst-class history - Ancelotti still believed in the possibility of winning the sixth championship.

"We have two of the world's best five players," he insisted. It is Vinicius (Real Madrid) and Raphinha (Barca). But the big challenge is to help them re-enact the club in the team's color. In Ancelotti's 4-2-4 bold tactical system, this combination has not been as effective as expected.

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Brazil Army Association prepared for the World Cup

Brazil Army Association prepared for the 2026 World Cup.*

While the game was being completed, Ancelotti quickly created influence in the dressing room. "In the June 2025 meeting match, we need to win the World Cup ticket. There's a lot of people talking now. Carlo said: 'You guys wait. I'm gonna smoke for five minutes and then I'm gonna come back, and you're gonna talk. Then he comes back, talks, and everybody's like: He was really different", quarterback Casemiro shared in the interview with former British post-commission Rio Ferdinand.

It was a typical Ancelotti moment: calm, simple and very human. Even his learning Portuguese reflected that.

"I have prepared lessons on verbs from orders", Piantino told. "The material is ready, with the part explaining the use of commands in Portuguese, but as soon as I started, Carlo said: 'No, no, no, I don't communicate like that. I don't use orders. That's not my style".

Used to be the assistant coach of the Italian team when Brazil champions World Cup 1994, Ancelotti now returned to the role of leader of "Selecao", bringing the golden team back to the top in its own way.

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