May 30, 2025 - How will Brazil play under Carlo Ancelotti? This question has come up since the Italian coach took charge of the five-time world champions. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, Ancelotti said he wants Brazil to play like Real Madrid. But there’s a catch: he doesn’t mean the way Madrid played last season. He wants Brazil to adopt the style they showed the season before that.

Ancelotti’s New Role with Brazil

Ancelotti, who spent four years in his second term as Real Madrid coach, took over Brazil’s national team at the end of this season. Under his leadership, Real Madrid did not win a major trophy this past season. They won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, but were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals, finished second in La Liga, and lost both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.

Why Brazil? The Sixth Star Challenge

“I’m not saying Brazil is the best just because they have five stars on their jersey. Now I have the challenge of winning the sixth,” Ancelotti said. He noted that Italy - with his fellow Italian coach Luciano Spalletti - is in good hands, but only Brazil called him first.

The Style Ancelotti Wants

Ancelotti wants Brazil to play like Real Madrid did in 2023-24, when they won La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup. He explained, “My Brazil will play like last year’s Real Madrid, not this year’s. But it depends on the players - they must feel comfortable. I don’t like a team with just one identity, and that isn’t smart.”

High-Profile Welcome and Security

According to Marca, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) provided Ancelotti with a bulletproof car and four bodyguards for his journey. The CBF officially presented him as Brazil’s coach last Monday.

First Training and Upcoming Matches

Ancelotti will hold his first training session on Monday at Corinthians’ training center in São Paulo. His first World Cup qualifier comes against Ecuador on June 5, followed by Paraguay on June 10. Brazil currently sits fourth in the South American qualifying table. The top six teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup; the seventh will enter an intercontinental playoff.