Latest news with #Seleção
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Manchester United confirm agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha after paying the Brazil forward's £62.5m (€74.1m) release clause. Cunha has been in Manchester over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move to Old Trafford, which is subject to visa and registration being completed. He has agreed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. United confirmed the signing on their official website on Sunday, saying: 'Everyone at Manchester United looks forward to welcoming Matheus to Old Trafford.' The transfer will be officially completed when Cunha returns from international duty. The 26 year-old, who has won 13 senior caps for Brazil, scored 18 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season. Cunha has been included in Carlo Ancelotti's first Seleção squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. More to follow
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: Carlo Ancelotti & Vinícius Jr. reunited in Brazil
Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. was on Thursday reunited with recently-departed manager Carlo Ancelotti in the former's home country of Brazil. This, of course, comes as Ancelotti's adventure as new Brazilian national team head coach gets underway. Amid the widespread knowledge that his time in La Liga was coming to an imminent close, the Italian was earlier this month unveiled as the man to lead Brazil's charge towards the 2026 World Cup. After Real Madrid played out the final fixture of what proved to be a disappointing 2024/25 campaign last weekend, Ancelotti, in turn, wasted little time in making the journey to South America. The tactician has since unveiled his maiden Seleção squad, with the aforementioned Vinícius Jr. featuring front and centre. And as alluded to above, on Thursday, the pair crossed paths once more. In a private box at the Maracanã in Rio, Ancelotti and Vinícius came together for a warm exchange, no doubt looking forward to working together once more, on this occasion on the international stage. 🇧🇷😍 Vinicius et Ancelotti se retrouvent déjà au Maracanã !#AP #beINSPORTS — beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) May 29, 2025 Conor Laird – GSFN
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Carlo Ancelotti Unveiled as Brazil Head Coach: 'We're Going to Make Brazil Champions Again'
TDT | Manama Carlo Ancelotti has officially taken charge of the Brazil national team, pledging to restore the Seleção to their former glory and lead them to a record-extending sixth World Cup title. The 65-year-old Italian, who steps into one of the most high-pressure jobs in world football, was introduced at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Ancelotti, a four-time Champions League-winning manager, said he was 'honoured and proud' to lead what he described as 'the best team in the world.' 'The challenge is great,' he said. 'I've always had a special connection with this team. We're going to work to make Brazil champions again.' Big Job, Bigger Expectations Ancelotti takes over from Dorival Junior, who was dismissed in March following a 4–1 defeat to arch-rivals Argentina — a loss that capped off a worrying run of form. Since being knocked out of the 2022 World Cup by Croatia on penalties, Brazil have struggled for consistency, losing five of their last 14 matches and conceding 16 goals. Despite sitting fourth in the South American qualifiers — a position still within the six automatic World Cup spots — the pressure is mounting. With Copa America on the horizon and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico fast approaching, Ancelotti knows he has little time to waste. 'These two matches [against Ecuador and Paraguay] are very important,' he said. 'I've tried to bring in players who are ready and prepared to help the team win.' Ancelotti's First Squad The newly appointed boss has wasted no time in stamping his mark on the team. His first squad, announced this week, includes a blend of experience and fresh talent: Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Hugo Souza (Chaves) Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alexsandro (Santos), Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Danilo (Juventus), Leo Ortiz (Red Bull Bragantino), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Cruzeiro), Marquinhos (PSG) Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo) Forwards: Antony (Manchester United), Estevão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) There is room for veterans like Alisson and Casemiro, but also exciting young talents such as Estevão and Andrey Santos — a sign that Ancelotti is planning for both the short and long term. Backed by Legends The Italian tactician was welcomed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the man who led Brazil to their fifth World Cup title in 2002. Scolari's presence was symbolic — a passing of the torch, perhaps — and a reminder of the expectation that comes with managing the Seleção. Ancelotti has previously worked with Brazilian stars at club level, including Kaka, Ronaldo, and most recently Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid. That connection may help him earn trust within a passionate and often demanding footballing nation. Winning the Crowd The new coach was candid about the pressure that comes with the role, acknowledging Brazil's deep desire for international success. 'People want me to do a good job and win the World Cup again,' he said. 'Because of what I've done in the past, they expect me to win the trophy. But I hope they will support the team — that's very important.' Brazil's next step begins in June with a pair of critical World Cup qualifiers. For Ancelotti, it's more than just a new chapter — it's a mission. And if history is any guide, the man who has conquered Europe's top leagues may just be the one to return Brazil to the summit of world football.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carlo Ancelotti arrives in Brazil as he takes over the Seleção
The new coach of the Seleção is already in Brazil; fans have prepared a warm welcome for the Italian.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement Related: Carlo Ancelotti bows out at Real Madrid: 'I don't regret a thing. I've had a good time' 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. '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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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 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.
