Ronaldo ‘curious’ about Ancelotti’s Brazil role: ‘Best coach leading greatest national team’

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Alessandro Bai | Last updated May 29, 2025 5:55 AM ET

Ronaldo believes that Carlo Ancelotti becoming Brazil’s head coach is a unique combination in football, bringing together the best manager in the world with the most successful national team in history.

The former Milan and Juventus boss left Real Madrid to take charge of the Seleção, who are desperate to end a World Cup drought that has now lasted more than 20 years.

Ancelotti recently announced his first Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June, including Serie A players Ederson and Carlos Augusto.

While Ronaldo acknowledged that such an appointment would have been ‘unthinkable’ just a few years ago, he backed Ancelotti as the ideal figure to lead Brazil towards the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo: ‘Ancelotti at Brazil would’ve been unthinkable back in my days’

“Curious, full of anticipation,” Ronaldo told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview when asked how he feels about the appointment.

“Possibly the best coach in the world, managing the greatest national team in the world. Back in my days, seeing a foreigner on Brazil’s bench would’ve been unthinkable.

“But times have changed—football is even more global now. And Ancelotti isn’t just any foreigner…

“I wish him all the best. He already understands how much people will love him, but he’ll need time to adapt to a new reality. The goal is the 2026 World Cup.”

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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