Carlo Ancelotti
May 2026
Carlo Ancelotti has signed a four-year contract extension with Brazil, committing to lead the national team through to the 2030 World Cup as part of a long-term rebuilding project. The Brazilian federation extended his deal following a stable first year in charge, citing tactical structure and leadership. Ancelotti emphasised continuity and long-term success as key to restoring Brazil’s global dominance.
Neymar
May 2026
Neymar was included in Brazil’s provisional squad while Estevao Willian was omitted due to injury concerns. Medical assessments ruled Estevao out, while Neymar’s inclusion reflects conditional optimism pending full fitness ahead of final squad selection.
Carlo Ancelotti
April 2026
Carlo Ancelotti says Italy has lost the defensive solidity that once defined its football culture and believes that tactical trends have weakened the national game. He linked the decline to Italy’s third straight failure to qualify for the World Cup. Ancelotti argued that Italian teams now chase aggressive pressing and build-up styles without the defensive precision needed to support them. In his view, the country has moved away from the characteristics that historically made Italian football strong and feared.
Carlo Ancelotti
April 2026
Carlo Ancelotti is close to extending his Brazil contract through the 2030 World Cup, with ESPN Brasil reporting that the agreement is effectively done pending signature. The extension has not been officially announced yet, but the direction now looks clear. ESPN Brasil reported that contract details were finalised and sent to Ancelotti, with salary terms unchanged at €10 million per year. The deal is expected to be signed digitally, and Brazilian federation sources are treating the remaining legal review as a formality.
Neymar
March 2026
Carlo Ancelotti has left Neymar out of Brazil’s latest squad, saying the forward is not yet physically ready despite his return to action with Santos. The coach stressed that selection was based on fitness levels, not technical quality or long-term World Cup potential. Neymar recently played 90 minutes after a lengthy recovery from knee surgery, but Ancelotti said he and his staff do not believe the forward is at 100 percent yet. Brazil want fully fit players for the upcoming friendlies, while still leaving open the chance of Neymar making the World Cup squad later.
Carlo Ancelotti
March 2026
Carlo Ancelotti revealed he sent Federico Valverde a playful message after the midfielder’s hat-trick against Manchester City. Valverde’s three first-half goals put Real Madrid in a commanding position and underlined his growing importance in a more advanced attacking role. Speaking after the match, Ancelotti said he joked that it was a shame Valverde did not have a Brazilian passport. The comment followed a stunning display in which the Real Madrid captain scored his first career hat-trick after going 26 European appearances without a goal.
Neymar
March 2026
Neymar made the preliminary squad but is being load-managed and will miss a league game, leaving limited chances to show readiness before final selection. Endrick is also included after strong early form at Lyon. Ancelotti and CBF leadership plan to watch Santos in person, raising the stakes for Neymar’s final audition match.
Carlo Ancelotti
February 2026
Carlo Ancelotti says he intends to sign a new Brazil contract that would keep him in charge beyond the 2026 World Cup and potentially through to 2030, as he settles into international management after leaving Real Madrid in 2025. Ancelotti discussed his enjoyment of the Brazil role in quotes carried by AS ahead of a Universo Valdano episode, with reports suggesting a verbal agreement is already in place. Brazil head toward 2026 as contenders but not unanimous favourites, with expectations that Ancelotti’s tenure could target ending their wait for another World Cup.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
Neville says Carrick should not be considered for the permanent United role beyond this season, even if results improve. Neville argues United need a proven, experienced manager and named Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, and Carlo Ancelotti as options to consider in the summer.
Endrick
December 2025
Lyon have struck a deal with Real Madrid to take Brazilian forward Endrick on a straight six-month loan, giving the 19-year-old a leading attacking role in Ligue 1 after limited minutes in Spain, with no option or obligation to buy attached to the agreement. With only one La Liga and one Champions League appearance under Xabi Alonso, Endrick pushed for regular game time to strengthen his World Cup chances, accepting Lyon’s project as Madrid bank a €1m fee, retain him under contract until 2030 and hand him the No.9 shirt for his French audition.
