Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti recently accepted an exclusive interview with FIFA. He talked about his choice to coach the national team, his memory of Brazilian football and his impressions of it.
How does it feel to live in Rio? What's your favorite?
"It feels fresh to me in many ways because it is different from the work of the club. Rio is a very beautiful city and the people here are passionate about football. I feel very good here these days, thanks to the support of the Brazilian Football Association and the players.
"Everything has gone well so far, we have successfully qualified, so there is enough time to prepare for the World Cup. I enjoyed the experience very much and as they say in Portuguese: ‘It’s really nice to live in Rio. "
Why did you decide to take over a national team now?
"Brazil is the most successful national team in history, with the most World Cup titles, so I think this coaching is a great opportunity. The idea was exciting, and when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it. Of course, I also want to thank Real Madrid for allowing me to experience this new experience. "
Thinking back to the 1994 World Cup, when you were the assistant coach of the Italian team, what did that experience teach you?
"It was an incredible experience to be part of the Italian team in the World Cup. We reached the final, but ultimately lost on penalties. It was a very valuable experience for me, especially because it was my first time as an assistant coach. It was a great time and I learned a lot from Sacchi, such as the passion to prepare for the World Cup and the sacrifices you have to make to reach the final. "
What is the earliest Brazilian player you remember and admire?
"My earliest clear memory of the Brazilian team is the 1970 World Cup final, when Brazil played Italy. I was 11 years old and I remember Brazil winning 4-1 with stars like Pele, Jairzinho, Tostão and Rivelino. Brazil has a great football history, and those great players are an important part of it. "
Was Falcao the first Brazilian player you played with?
"Yes, Falcao and Cerezo both went to Roma. Falcao joined in 1981 and Cerezo in 1983. They are all very good professional players and good friends of mine. We spent a lot of happy times together because Brazilian players are always cheerful and friendly, so it's always a joy to be around them. "
What are your main discoveries about Brazilian football through your experience in Brazil?
"Although I already knew the passion here, the passion is so high, especially for the national team. There is a deep affection for the Brazilian jersey and when the Brazilian team plays, the whole country stops and everyone pays attention to the game. Unsurprisingly, Brazilian players are generally very talented and seem to be born with them. "
There will be 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup. What kind of opportunity do you think this is for other participating teams?
"I think this is very good. The more teams participating in the World Cup, the better it is for football. I don't think it will have much of an impact on the schedule because there won't really be a lot of extra games, so I think it's a good idea. Expanding the size of the World Cup can make football more global. "
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