Latest news with #BrazilNationalTeam


Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Marta returns to Brazil's national team for friendly matches against Japan
SAO PAULO: Marta is back. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The six-time world player of the year has returned to Brazil's national team for friendlies against Japan on Friday and Monday in Sao Paulo. While it remains to be seen whether she'll play, her inclusion on the roster suggests she may not be ready to retire just yet. The 39-year-old announced last year that she would step down from the national team following the Paris Olympics. The Brazilians went on to win the silver medal after a 1-0 loss in the final to the US. She has continued to play for her club team, the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League. Last season, Marta scored 11 goals with the Pride, who won the NWSL title. She re-signed with the team through 2026 earlier this year. 'Marta has had a great season and has been very important for her club, which is the league champion,' Brazil coach Arthur Elias told reporters when he announced the roster. 'Her presence in some callups is very important for the younger players, for the renewal that is taking place in the national team.' The matches against Japan are important for Brazil to prepare for the Copa America, which opens in July in Ecuador. Brazil are the defending champion. 'She's a very important person for our group, for the other girls who are just arriving. I've already told her to retire when she's about 45, around there. As long as she's well, I'll be encouraging her to continue with us,' Brazil defender Tarciane said in a press conference ahead of the matches against Japan. 'And there's no way we can be without Marta. I can't see the national team now without Marta, because we need her, we need everything she's experienced in women's football, and she needs to live this moment too.' Marta has played in 185 matches for Brazil. In her last, in the Olympic final, she was emotional as she came off the field. She insisted her tears were not because of the loss or her retirement, but because of pride for having medaled. 'I am crying out of gratitude, happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look at how much we had to overcome to win this silver,' she said. Better known just by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva has scored a record 119 goals for Brazil. She was just 17 when she appeared at the 2003 World Cup, held in the US. She has the career record for most World Cup goals with 17, and she has 13 Olympic goals, one shy of compatriot Cristiane's record. Brazil is hosting the 2027 Women's World Cup, leading to some speculation that she might try to play in the game's biggest tournament on home soil. She has said in the past that she's willing to help Brazil in any way possible. 'Having this opportunity to share a dressing room with Marta, not only for the national team but also for the club, is a privilege,' midfielder Angelina said after training on Wednesday. 'You never imagine that you will be sharing a dressing room with your idol.'

Associated Press
2 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Marta returns to Brazil's national team for friendly matches against Japan
Marta is back. The six-time world player of the year has returned to Brazil's national team for friendlies against Japan on Friday and Monday in São Paulo. While it remains to be seen whether she'll play, her inclusion on the roster suggests she may not be ready to retire just yet. The 39-year-old announced last year that she would step down from the national team following the Paris Olympics. The Brazilians went on to win the silver medal after a 1-0 loss in the final to the United States. She has continued to play for her club team, the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League. Last season, Marta scored 11 goals with the Pride, which won the NWSL title. She re-signed with the team through 2026 earlier this year. 'Marta has had a great season and has been very important for her club, which is the league champion,' Brazil coach Arthur Elias told reporters when he announced the roster. 'Her presence in some call-ups is very important for the younger players, for the renewal that is taking place in the national team.' The matches against Japan are important for Brazil to prepare for the Copa América, which opens in July in Ecuador. Brazil is the defending champion. 'She's a very important person for our group, for the other girls who are just arriving. I've already told her to retire when she's about 45, around there. As long as she's well, I'll be encouraging her to continue with us,' Brazil defender Tarciane said in a press conference ahead of the matches against Japan. 'And there's no way we can be without Marta. I can't see the national team now without Marta, because we need her, we need everything she's experienced in women's football, and she needs to live this moment too.' Marta has played in 185 matches for Brazil. In her last, in the Olympic final, she was emotional as she came off the field. She insisted her tears were not because of the loss or her retirement, but because of pride for having medaled. 'I am crying out of gratitude, happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look at how much we had to overcome to win this silver,' she said. Better known just by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva has scored a record 119 goals for Brazil. She was just 17 when she appeared at the 2003 World Cup, held in the United States. She has the career record for most World Cup goals with 17, and she has 13 Olympic goals, one shy of compatriot Cristiane's record. Brazil is hosting the 2027 Women's World Cup, leading to some speculation that she might try to play in the game's biggest tournament on home soil. She has said in the past that she's willing to help Brazil in any way possible. 'Having this opportunity to share a dressing room with Marta, not only for the national team but also for the club, is a privilege,' midfielder Angelina said after training on Wednesday. 'You never imagine that you will be sharing a dressing room with your idol.' ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
🎥 Ancelotti back on the job, heads to the stadium, fans react 🤩
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. It's been the week of Carlo Ancelotti. After saying goodbye to Real Madrid, with a tribute from the Bernabeu, the record-breaking coach flew to Brazil to start his new adventure as the national team coach. The most fascinating national team is in the hands of the most iconic coach. The combination seems like a winning one, then the field will give the final verdict. In any case, the challenge is fascinating. The Brazil chapter for Ancelotti began with the first call-ups, including the "Italians" Carlos Augusto and Ederson, and the return of Anthony, who had a stellar second half of the season with Betis Seville, who are playing the Conference League final against Chelsea tonight. Yesterday, Ancelotti attended his first match as the verdeoro coach, between Botafogo and Universidad de Chile, in the Libertadores. There was great enthusiasm among the local crowd, who stood up in ovation as soon as they realized Ancelotti was present. Ancelotti took his first notes, having been given a significant task: to bring Brazil back to the top of the world after 24 years. 📸 Buda Mendes - 2025 Getty Images


Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Carlo Ancelotti lands in Brazil relishing prospect of ending World Cup drought
One of the best coaches in history working with the best national team in the world. This is how Carlo Ancelotti was introduced as the new head coach of the Brazil national team. Despite having worked for the biggest clubs in the world, the Italian did not hide his joy at the new challenge of leading the Seleção in their hunt for a sixth World Cup title. 'It is an honour to lead the best national team in the world. I have a great mission, so that Brazil can be champions again. I have always had a very special connection with Brazil. The reception yesterday was incredible,' Ancelotti said. More than 250 journalists attended the presentation. In addition to the first press conference, he also announced the 23 players who will represent the Seleção in the games against Ecuador and Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. The headline was the absence of Neymar and the return of the experienced Casemiro and Richarlison. Important names in Brazilian football were present. Luiz Felipe Scolari, head coach of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winners, wished him luck and presented Ancelotti with a coach's jacket from the national team. In addition to Scolari, the presentation was attended by Júnior, 1982 and 1986 World Cup player, and Denílson, a 2002 World Cup winner, and featured videos of national idols who have worked with Ancelotti, such as Zico, Kaká and Falcão. READ MORE Carlo Ancelotti (left) receives the team's jacket from former Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images 'Connection with Brazil began in the 1980s, with Falcão and Cerezo. Then with Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Pato, Kaká, Marcelo, Cafu and currently with Vini [Vinícius Júnior], Rodrygo, Militão and Endrick. But this will be the first time I will work in Rio. I have lived in big cities around the world, but I've never lived in Rio. I want to enjoy this city,' Ancelotti said. His good humour contrasts with the situation that greets him, one of the worst in the history of the team. Not only will the squad head to the United States in 2026 after a 24-year drought since their last World Cup win, equalling the period without any titles from 1970 to 1994, but the head coach arrives to find a Brazilian Football Confederation mired in political instability. Since 2012, no elected president of the CBF has managed to complete his term, with all either being removed or resigning over various scandals. However, the CBF was not a topic at Ancelotti's press conference, with more focus on the failed attempts to hire him as coach in 2023. 'Our negotiations began two years ago. But it ended because I had a contract with Real Madrid. That's why I come just now,' he said. Ancelotti promised upon landing to learn Portuguese but not everything will be work in his new life. 'Today you can watch all the matches anywhere in the world. You can watch Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo ...' he said. 'But now I need to spend some time in Brazil to get to know the structure of Brazilian football, the players. But I also want to have a holiday to enjoy the country. I've never been to Corcovado. I'm not going to work 365 days a year. I also want to have a holiday to enjoy Brazil.' Brazilian culture was a topic discussed by the new coach. In his autobiography The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius, Ancelotti had already reported a little about the particularities of Brazilian players. One of them is the patriarchal relationship between athletes and coaches. Casemiro after Brazil's defeat in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against Croatia. Photograph:'The personal relation is very important. I always pay special attention to this. It's not just a professional issue. Each player has a different character. Brazil has spectacular players. But what sets Brazilians apart is that they can do serious things and also fun things. I like that and I also care about having a great work environment,' he said. In his first squad, Ancelotti sprang a surprise with the return of Casemiro, one of the defensive pillars at Real Madrid under his management from 2021 to 2023. Ancelotti had talked to the Manchester United midfielder before signing a contract with Brazil and asked for information about the team's current situation. 'Casemiro is here because of his quality. Within this quality, there is also experience and leadership. Estêvão [the 18-year-old Palmeiras winger] has also been called up because of his quality. I like this connection between young and experienced players,' Ancelotti said. 'Young players bring joy and enthusiasm. Experienced players bring knowledge, reading and experience. Estêvão can help Casemiro. Casemiro can help Estêvão.' Ancelotti also used humour to explain Vinícius Júnior's situation. With only six goals for Brazil, the forward is a target of criticism in the country for not repeating his good performances at Real Madrid. But Ancelotti suggested that this situation will end. 'Brazilian players have a lot of affection for their national team and this affects their natural thinking a little. I'm going to try to get the best version of Vini. He's a sensational, fantastic player. Will Brazil play like Real Madrid? I hope. But like last year. Not this year,' he said. – Guardian


The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Carlo Ancelotti lands in Brazil relishing prospect of ending World Cup drought
One of the best coaches in history working with the best national team in the world. This is how Carlo Ancelotti was introduced as new head coach of the Brazil national team. Despite having worked for the biggest clubs in the world, the Italian did not hide his joy at the new challenge of leading the Seleção in their hunt for a sixth World Cup title. 'It is an honour to lead the best national team in the world. I have a great mission, so that Brazil can be champions again. I have always had a very special connection with Brazil. The reception yesterday was incredible,' Ancelotti said. More than 250 journalists attended the presentation. In addition to the first press conference, he also announced the 23 players who will represent the Seleção in the games against Ecuador and Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. The headline was the absence of Neymar and the return of experienced players Casemiro and Richarlison. Important names in Brazilian football were present. Luiz Felipe Scolari, head coach of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winners, wished him luck and presented Ancelotti with a coach's jacket from the national team. In addition to Scolari, the presentation was attended by Júnior, 1982 and 1986 World Cup player, and Denílson, a 2002 World Cup winner, and featured videos of national idols who have worked with Ancelotti, such as Zico, Kaká and Falcão. 'My connection with Brazil began in the 1980s, with Falcão and Cerezo. Then with Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Pato, Kaká, Marcelo, Cafu and currently with Vini [Vinícius Júnior], Rodrygo, Militão and Endrick. But this will be the first time I will work in Rio. I have lived in big cities around the world, but I've never lived in Rio. I want to enjoy this city,'Ancelotti said. His good humour contrasts with the situation that greets him, one of the worst in the history of the team. Not only will the squad head to the United States in 2026 after a 24-year drought since their last World Cup win, equalling the period without any titles from 1970 to 1994, but the head coach arrives to find a Brazilian Football Confederation mired in political instability. Since 2012, no elected president of the CBF has managed to complete his term with all of them either being removed or resigning over various scandals. However, the CBF was not a topic at Ancelotti's press conference, with more focus on the failed attempts to hire him as coach in 2023. 'Our negotiations began two years ago. But it ended because I had a contract with Real Madrid. That's why I come just now,' he said. Ancelotti promised upon landing to learn Portuguese but not everything will be work in his new life. 'Today you can watch all the matches anywhere in the world. You can watch Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo …' he said. 'But now I need to spend some time in Brazil to get to know the structure of Brazilian football, the players. But I also want to have a holiday to enjoy the country. I've never been to Corcovado. I'm not going to work 365 days a year. I also want to have a holiday to enjoy Brazil.' Brazilian culture was a topic discussed by the new coach. In his autobiography The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius, Ancelotti had already reported a little about the particularities of Brazilian players. One of them is the patriarchal relationship between athletes and coaches. 'The personal relation is very important. I always pay special attention to this. It's not just a professional issue. Each player has a different character. Brazil has spectacular players. But what sets Brazilians apart is that they can do serious things and also fun things. I like that and I also care about having a great work environment,' he said. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion In his first squad, Ancelotti sprung a surprise with the return of Casemiro, one of the defensive pillars at Real Madrid under his management from 2021 to 2023. Ancelotti had talked to the Manchester United midfielder before signing a contract with Brazil and asked for information about the team's current situation. 'Casemiro is here because of his quality. Within this quality, there is also experience and leadership. Estêvão [the 18-year-old Palmeiras winger] has also been called up because of his quality. I like this connection between young and experienced players,' Ancelotti said. 'Young players bring joy and enthusiasm. Experienced players bring knowledge, reading and experience. Estêvão can help Casemiro. Casemiro can help Estêvão.' Ancelotti also used humour to explain Vinícius Júnior's situation. With only six goals for Brazil, the forward is a target of criticism in the country for not repeating his good performances at Real Madrid. But Ancelotti suggested that this situation will end. 'Brazilian players have a lot of affection for their national team and this affects their natural thinking a little. I'm going to try to get the best version of Vini. He's a sensational, fantastic player. Will Brazil play like Real Madrid? I hope. But like last year. Not this year,' he said.