As part of their buildup to the World Cup, the five-time champions scheduled two international friendlies for the upcoming FIFA window. They will face Senegal on Saturday, November 15, and Tunisia on Tuesday, November 18. While both African sides might not possess the same pedigree as Brazil, it’s worth noting that they have already secured qualification for the tournament.

For those matches, Ancelotti decided not to call up Neymar. Despite having recovered from his latest injury and reportedly being in good physical condition, the Italian manager opted to leave the Santos star out of the squad once again. It has now been more than two years since Neymar last represented Brazil, casting real doubt over his chances of featuring in the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil’s call-up list

• Goalkeepers: Ederson (Manchester City), Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Hugo Souza (Flamengo).
• Defenders: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Danilo (Juventus), Fabricio Bruno (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Wesley (Corinthians), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Paulo Henrique (Atletico Mineiro), Luciano Juba (Bahia).
• Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg).
• Forwards: Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Estevao (Palmeiras), Vitor Roque (Barcelona), Joao Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo).

Ancelotti’s reasoning behind the decision

Back in August, when Ancelotti also chose to exclude Neymar from his roster, he addressed the situation directly. “We don’t need to test him. Everyone knows what he can do and the quality he has. What matters now is that he reaches full fitness to help the national team perform at its best in the World Cup,” he said at the time.

Despite Neymar’s recovery from his last injury, Ancelotti has once again determined that it’s best for the team to move forward without him for now. The decision has drawn significant attention across Brazil and beyond, as the World Cup countdown continues and the Selecao have only a handful of games left to fine-tune their squad.

When was Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil?

Neymar Jr.’s last appearance for Brazil came on October 17, 2023, in a World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay. Unfortunately, his night — and his qualifying campaign — ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee just before halftime. Brazil went on to lose 2-0 in Montevideo, and the devastating injury has kept Neymar out of national team action ever since.

Neymar contradicted Ancelotti’s explanation for his absence from the Brazil squad. The forward argued that his physical problems were not as concerning as the coach suggested, despite Ancelotti insisting that fitness issues were the key factor behind his decision not to include the Santos star in the upcoming international window.

“I had an inflammation in the adductor. It was uncomfortable, but nothing serious. I even played today. Against Bahia last Sunday, I wasn’t going to play anyway because of suspension. So they just preferred to leave me out of training so I could recover,” Neymar explained after Santos drew 0-0 with Fluminense in a post-match press conference.

Ancelotti, however, maintained that Neymar was omitted for fitness-related reasons. Neymar dismissed that claim. “I think they left me out for technical reasons; I don’t believe it had anything to do with my physical condition,” said the forward, who remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.

Will Neymar make it to the World Cup?

Ancelotti has yet to finalize his list of players for the World Cup. His arrival to the South American giants came at the start of the summer, but Neymar still appears to be one of his key options. The Italian manager underlined the importance of the forward during a press conference.

“We don’t need to test him. Everyone knows what he can do. Like the others, he must arrive in good physical condition to help the team give its best at the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. Neymar is fully aware of the standards he must meet, and everyone understands Brazil need him at his peak.

Brazil have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup. In the final double matchday of the Conmebol qualifiers, they will host Chile at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro before traveling to Bolivia. Those matches will serve as some of Ancelotti’s final tune-ups before the most important competition in the sport.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti, speaking at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, explained that Neymar was not included due to “a minor physical issue,” while Vinicius Jr. will also be unavailable due to a one-match suspension.

Brazil’s national team coach Carlo Ancelotti explained in a press conference that his main objective for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers is to get to know more players within his reach. “My idea is to get to know new players whom I don’t know well personally,” the Italian coach said, highlighting the major changes in his squad, which saw nine players from the previous call-up left out.

With Brazil having already secured qualification for next year’s World Cup, Ancelotti chose to call up players who have never been selected before or who have had limited opportunities. The move allows him to observe and test new talent as he evaluates options for the squad he will field in the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here is the full list of call-ups:

The real reason for the absence of Real Madrid stars

The absence of the Madrid stars is not due to any issues beyond availability and fitness. Aside from Vinicius Jr.’s suspension, Ancelotti explained that both Vinicius and Rodrygo were excluded because he already knows them very well, while Neymar was left out due to a new injury.

Ancelotti also emphasized the importance of fitness in his selection process: “A very important criterion for our staff is the physical aspect. Players in the national team must be 100% physically fit. This is a very important criterion for us. Because the competition in every position is very high—right-backs, defenders, midfielders, forwards. The competition is very intense. If a player isn’t 100%, I can call another without any problem,” he said.

Other “surprising” omissions include Eder Militao, who has only played 90 minutes after nine months recovering from injury, and Endrick, who is still rehabilitating.

Regarding Rodrygo, Ancelotti added: “Rodrygo, I obviously have a lot of affection for him, like everyone does. Yesterday he played very well with Real Madrid. It was his first game after a long time, so he has time to prepare properly and return to the national team.” While they could have been included for team bonding, Ancelotti sees this as the perfect opportunity to test new players and evaluate Brazil’s depth ahead of the World Cup.

Surprises and new call-ups

The squad announced Monday includes several players who have never been called up to the national soccer team, including Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro, the current top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Among the surprises, midfielder Lucas Paquetá makes his return to the squad after not being called since investigations into his alleged involvement in a sports betting fraud network began.

In their final two qualifying matches, Brazil will host Chile on September 4 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and then travel to face Bolivia five days later in El Alto, at 4,100 meters above sea level. Brazil mathematically secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup in June with a victory over Paraguay in São Paulo, with Ancelotti already in charge of the team.

The 66-year-old Italian, who has faced or coached a lot of great players over his storied career, offered a thoughtful and measured response during an interview with CONMEBOL.

“I can’t say definitively because Pele belongs to a different generation. What Pele achieved in his career—on top of the World Cups he won—was something truly special,” Ancelotti explained.

“The others have been spectacular players. Starting with Ronaldo, whom I had the good fortune to coach, to Messi, whom I’ve seen, and all the others,” he continued. “But it’s difficult to choose. Based on what he achieved in his career, I believe Pele deserves first place”.

While Ancelotti didn’t provide an official ranking, his comments made it clear that Pele’s legacy—highlighted by three World Cup titles and his place among the game’s all-time top scorers—sets him apart in the GOAT conversation.

Ancelotti reflects on coaching Ronaldo Nazario

Later in the interview, Ancelotti was shown photos of himself with former Brazilian stars he coached during his time at AC Milan, including Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazario.

While he praised Ronaldinho’s technical brilliance, Ancelotti made it clear who he believed was on another level. “Ronaldinho was spectacular because of his talent. In terms of pure talent, ‘Rony’ was one of the greatest. But the greatest is this one—Ronaldo. In every sense, now,” Ancelotti said. “We had a great time together, unfortunately not for very long because he got injured, but I have very fond memories of Ronaldo”.

This isn’t the first time Ancelotti has praised Ronaldo. Upon his arrival in Brazil, the former Real Madrid manager told Globo Esporte that Ronaldo was the most talented player he had ever coached. “Technically, he was spectacular and one of the funniest people in the world,” Ancelotti added.

He also mentioned several other Brazilian players who left an impression on him throughout his career. “The most professional would be Cafu. And the funniest… There are a lot. Eder Militao makes me laugh a lot, and Vinicius Junior as well,” he said.

“I saw Neymar at the hotel and we hugged,” Ancelotti revealed during the post-match press conference following Tuesday night’s 1–0 win over Paraguay in Sao Paulo. The explanation is not a minor one, considering the coach’s decision to leave the forward out of the squad — a move he later justified by stressing the need for Ney to fully recover physically before being considered.

“When he’s healthy, he can play in any position on the field,” Carlo said when asked about Neymar’s potential role within this squad. “Today he could do the same job that (Matheus) Cunha did, as a number 10, and in that position he can be very dangerous.”

Ancelotti then discussed how he set up the team in his first games, pairing Vinicius Junior, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raphinha in attack. “Against Paraguay, we played with four forwards, but the team remained balanced. It’s not a problem to play with four, three, or two strikers — the important thing is to have ten players who run and make sacrifices,” the coach explained.

Finally, Ancelotti commented on two of the most important players who were absent during the June international break due to physical issues. “Rodrygo has done it many times and we know him very well. Neymar can do it too, without any problem,” said Carlo.

How is Neymar doing right now?

Earlier this year, Neymar Jr. returned to Santos to prioritize his physical and athletic recovery, aiming to reach a level that would allow him to rejoin the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, the first few months haven’t gone quite as planned.

The forward has missed 10 of the 22 matches Santos have played since the transfer was finalized. And it’s not just the volume — Ney has been absent for key games and wasn’t able to help keep the club afloat in the Campeonato Paulista. On top of that, Santos are currently sitting in the relegation zone in the Brazilian league.

Brazil’s upcoming challenges

After clinching a spot in the next World Cup, Brazil still have two remaining matches in the South American qualifiers. They’ll face Chile and Bolivia in September — games that could serve as a testing ground for Carlo Ancelotti.

That stretch could present a good opportunity for Neymar to return to action with Brazil — something that hasn’t happened since his serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. Of course, that would first require the forward to regain solid physical form and consistently perform well with Santos.

The pressure is on for Ancelotti to turn things around for Brazil, who, despite sitting comfortably in fourth place and not at risk of missing out on the World Cup, have been underwhelming in recent performances. Their last outing—a humbling 4-1 defeat to Argentina—prompted Dorival Junior’s resignation and paved the way for the former Real Madrid boss to take charge.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have been one of the surprise packages of the World Cup Qualifiers. Currently second in the standings, a win tonight would secure at least a playoff spot for Sebastian Beccacece’s side, and they could even qualify directly if Venezuela fails to defeat Bolivia tomorrow.

This match is critical for both teams, as they aim to lock in their World Cup berths and avoid any late surprises. While Ecuador come into the game in better form, the arrival of Ancelotti at the helm may inject new energy into Brazil’s squad as they push toward qualification.

Why isn’t Rodrygo playing?

Rodrygo will not feature tonight after Ancelotti made the surprising decision to leave him out of the squad for Brazil’s two qualifiers this month. He isn’t alone—other notable absentees include Neymar, Endrick, Gabriel Jesus, Joelinton, Ederson, and Eder Militao.

Ancelotti explained that several players were omitted due to injuries or recovery concerns. In Rodrygo’s case, the decision could be linked to physical and mental exhaustion. The Real Madrid forward has not played in the club’s last five matches, raising questions about his readiness.

Rodrygo’s most recent appearance came in the Copa del Rey final, where he played 46 minutes in Real Madrid’s 3-2 extra-time loss to Barcelona. His absence tonight underscores Brazil’s need to adapt, as they’ll rely on new faces to step up in this crucial qualifier.

Even from the European Cup days, continental success has been limited to a handful of head coaches. And of course, the list of managers who won the Champions League on multiple occasions is short as well.

But if lifting the UCL more than once is a challenging task, let alone to do so with different teams. So far, only seven managers have won UEFA Champions League titles with multiple clubs.

Which coaches have won Champions League trophies with multiple clubs?

Ernst Happel, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Jupp Heynckes, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and Luis Enrique are the only managers who boast Champions League triumphs with different European teams.

• Ernst Happel – 2 teams (Feyenoord 1970, Hamburg 1983)
• Ottmar Hitzfeld – 2 teams (Dortmund 1997, Bayern 2001)
• Jupp Heynckes – 2 teams (Real Madrid 1998, Bayern 2013)
• Carlo Ancelotti – 2 teams (AC Milan 2003, 2007; Real Madrid 2014, 2022, 2024)
• Jose Mourinho – 2 teams (Porto 2004, Inter 2010)
• Pep Guardiola – 2 teams (Barcelona 2009, 2011; Manchester City 2023)
• Luis Enrique – 2 teams (Barcelona 2015; PSG 2025)

Which managers have coached Champions League finals with different teams?

Curiously, Carlo Ancelotti is also the coach with the most Champions League titles in tournament history. In addition, the Italian is the manager who reached the most finals with more than one club.

Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League title with Barcelona in 2015, became the 10th manager to join this list in the 2024-25 season, when he reached (and won) the title decider in Munich at the helm of French side Paris Saint-Germain.

• Carlo Ancelotti – 5 finals (AC Milan 2003, 2007; Real Madrid 2014, 2022, 2024)
• Jurgen Klopp – 4 finals (Dortmund 2013; Liverpool 2018, 2019, 2022)
• Pep Guardiola – 4 finals (Barcelona 2009, 2011; Man City 2021, 2023)
• Louis van Gaal – 3 finals (Ajax 1995, 1996; Bayern 2010)
• Ernst Happel – 2 finals (Feyenoord 1970; Hamburg 1983)
• Jupp Heynckes – 2 finals (Real Madrid 1998; Bayern 2013)
• Ottmar Hitzfeld – 2 finals (Dortmund 1997; Bayern 2001)
• Jose Mourinho – 2 finals (Porto 2004; Inter 2010)
• Thomas Tuchel – 2 finals (PSG 2020; Chelsea 2021)
• Luis Enrique – 2 finals (Barcelona 2015; PSG 2025)

In a recent interview with Globo Esporte, Ancelotti was asked about the best Brazilian player he has coached in his 30-year career. “Technically, Ronaldo was spectacular and one of the funniest people in the world,” the Italian coach said without hesitation.

Ancelotti was referring, of course, to Ronaldo Nazario—the center forward born in Rio de Janeiro who starred for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, and won the 2002 World Cup. Carlo briefly worked with him at AC Milan between 2007 and 2008, though the forward played just 20 matches and scored 9 goals due to recurring injury problems.

In the same interview, the coach also highlighted other Brazilian players he’s worked with throughout his career. “I can tell you that the most professional is Cafu,” he said, referencing the right-back he also coached at AC Milan. “And the funniest… There are many. (Eder) Militao makes me laugh a lot, Vini too.”

Specifically on Vinicius, whom he knows well from their time together at Real Madrid, Carlo explained: “Vini, for example, to me, is very humble. A very, very humble kid.” That strong relationship between the two will now be key as their paths cross again with the Brazil national team.

Ancelotti reflects on his experience with Brazilian players

Over the course of his three-decade coaching career, Carlo Ancelotti has worked with stars from all over the world, giving him rare perspective when it comes to comparing styles and personalities. “The Brazilian player has a higher technical level than others,” he stated.

Speaking about the typical demeanor of Brazilian players, he added: “They manage themselves quite well and have a fairly calm and humble character.” Based on that, Carlo explained that he’s rarely had issues in the past. “I’ve coached 34 Brazilian players and if I think about whether I’ve had any problems with any of them—maybe one, but I won’t tell you who,” he said.

Ancelotti’s first challenge

Carlo Ancelotti won’t have much time to adjust or fully implement his ideas with the squad. His debut comes Thursday, June 5, on Matchday 15 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Brazil will face Ecuador—one of their direct rivals in the standings—at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha.

Five days later, they’ll return home to face Paraguay in another crucial match in the race to secure a spot in next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For now, Brazil sit in fourth place in the standings with 21 points—the same as Paraguay and Uruguay—and hold a six-point advantage over Venezuela, who are currently in the playoff position.

Carlo did not stop there. He made more bold moves that reflect a shift in direction. He did not include Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, a regular starter in recent years. At the same time, he brought back Casemiro, a familiar face from his Real Madrid days. He also included two young talents, Antony and 17-year-old William Estevao. With these choices, Carlo sends a clear message. He plans to blend experience with youth and bring fresh ideas to Brazil’s campaign.

Considering the latter, Carlo Ancelotti’s first call-up features a mix of established stars and exciting young talent. Here is how the squad shapes up for the doubleheader in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Hugo Sosa.
• Defenders: Alex Sandro, Ribeiro, Lucas Beraldo, Carlos Augusto, Danilo, Leo Ortiz, Marquinhos, Vanderson, Wesley.
• Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Ederson, Gerson.
• Forwards: Antony, William Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr.

Carlo Ancelotti opens up on the reason behind Neymar Jr’s absence in his first call-up

Neymar Jr’s absence from Carlo Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad immediately sparked conversation across social media, with many fans speculating that it signaled the beginning of the end for his international career. However, Ancelotti moved quickly to shut down those rumors, offering a clear explanation for the star forward’s absence: “Neymar’s out of the list as he’s just returned from injury. I spoke to Ney and we’ve agreed on this,” Ancelotti said, via Fabrizio Romano.

Besides, Carlo confirmed that he is counting on the Santos FC star. He added that he will work to bring out his best version for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These statements fueled excitement among national team fans, as they have consistently called for Neymar’s continued presence. After all, he remains the most influential and game-changing player on the roster.

Ancelotti also explained that Rodrygo missed the squad due to injury. On May 24, according to DAZN, the Real Madrid striker left training after feeling pain in the back of his left thigh. Moreover, the coach addressed the absences of Joelinton and Ederson. He stated that both players are also dealing with injuries, which ruled them out of the squad.

“The first thing he has to do is solve the Neymar problem,” Emmanuel Petit said when discussing the challenges Ancelotti will face in this next phase of his career, during a recent interview with Marca. “I think he needs to make a firm decision, and for me, Neymar is finished.”

Analyzing Brazil’s current situation, Petit pointed to the individual talent on the roster. “They have top players,” he said. However, he was quick to clarify that the issues go beyond individual performances. “This team needs unity. The results have been poor… They need to find the right balance and build that unity.”

The former French midfielder made it clear that despite the challenges Ancelotti is stepping into, he believes the coach made the right decision in taking the job. “It’s a good role for Ancelotti because he can spend more time with his family while coaching one of the most historic national teams in soccer. It’s a good move for both sides and a great way to end his career,” he said. And he acknowledged: “The expectations will be huge.”

Brazil face a tough road ahead

Despite Brazil’s recent inconsistency, they are still relatively well-positioned in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. With 21 points, they sit in fourth place, holding a six-point lead over Venezuela, who currently occupy the intercontinental playoff spot. With just four games remaining, Brazil’s qualification is almost secured.

Even so, Petit believes Ancelotti should keep his focus grounded for now and not look too far ahead. “Can he win the World Cup with Brazil? The first challenge will be to match Argentina, who have been by far the best team in recent years,” he said.

Who is Emmanuel Petit?

Petit’s comments carry weight given his distinguished playing career. He played professionally for 16 years between 1988 and 2004, starring for top European clubs such as AS Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea. During that time, he won major trophies including the French league title, the Premier League, and the FA Cup.

However, the most iconic chapter of Emmanuel Petit’s career came with the France national team. He earned 63 caps and scored 6 goals between 1990 and 2003, achieving historic success: he was a World Cup champion in 1998—scoring one of the goals in France’s 3–0 victory over Brazil in the final—and also won the Euro 2000 title.

Carlo Ancelotti may be known for his calm demeanor on the sidelines, but behind that composed exterior lies one of the most successful managers in modern soccer. With decades at the top, he’s quietly built a fortune off the pitch.

From lifting Champions League trophies to orchestrating historic comebacks, his career has taken him across Europe’s elite clubs. Each stop not only added to his legend, but also to his growing bank balance.

Now leading the Brazil national team, his earnings remain a topic of fascination. How much has the Italian tactician earned after decades at the top of world football? The numbers might surprise even his most loyal supporters.

What is Carlo Ancelotti’s net worth?

Carlo Ancelotti, renowned for his composed demeanor on the sidelines, has quietly amassed a significant fortune over his illustrious career. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be $50 million, as Celebrity Net Worth reported.

His financial holdings are diversified. Beyond his substantial earnings from managing elite clubs, he has secured endorsements with brands like Adidas and EA Sports. His bestselling book, Quiet Leadership, also contributes to his income.

What is Carlo Ancelotti’s salary?

At Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s annual salary was reported to be around $10.5 million gross. His compensation package included performance-based bonuses tied to league victories and Champions League successes.

In 2025, Sports Illustrated confirmed that his salary in Brazil would be $10 million. With this, he has become the highest-paid manager in Brazil’s history and one of the wealthiest figures in soccer.

His earnings are not limited to his managerial salary. Endorsement deals, book royalties and speaking engagements add to his income, with estimates suggesting he earns an additional €5 million annually from these sources.

Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching career

His managerial journey began in 1995 with Reggiana, leading them to Serie A promotion in his debut season. He then managed several top clubs, including AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

His tenure at AC Milan was particularly successful, securing two UEFA Champions League titles. At Real Madrid, he added two more Champions League trophies to his collection, making him the first manager to win the competition four times.

In May 2025, he was appointed as the head coach of the Brazil national team, marking his first foray into international management. This new chapter adds to his already distinguished career.

How much has Carlo Ancelotti earned in his career?

Over his extensive career, Ancelotti’s cumulative earnings are estimated to exceed $100 million. This figure encompasses his managerial salaries, endorsements, book royalties and investments, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Carlo Ancelotti’s investments

According to multiple sources like PaintPulse and Celebrity Net Worth, Carlo Ancelotti owns properties in Madrid, London and his native Italy, including a villa in Parma and a luxury apartment in the Spanish capital.

He has also shown interest in the financial markets. While he keeps a relatively low profile, reports suggest he works with financial advisors to invest portions of his earnings in low-risk portfolios and retirement funds.

He has rarely flaunted his lifestyle, but his strategic investments mirror the same measured, intelligent approach that defines his work. Like a well-organized midfield, his portfolio is built on balance, patience and long-term planning.