Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002. Twenty four years. Six tournaments. Quarter final exits, semi final heartbreaks, a 7-1 at home that still makes grown men wince. This is the year Ancelotti is supposed to fix all of that.
The squad he has picked is interesting. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha lead the attack and on their day they are as dangerous as anyone in the world. Vinicius especially is in the form of his life at Real Madrid and will be a nightmare for any full back on the planet. Behind them Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta give the midfield quality and experience. The defence looks solid with Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes at the back.
But there are real problems. Rodrygo is out with a torn ACL. Estevao is out with a hamstring injury. Those two were expected to be important parts of the squad and their absence leaves Brazil light in wide areas. Neymar fills one of those spots and we have already discussed how much of a gamble that is. Thiago Silva, who has been outstanding at Porto this season at the age of 41, was also left out which raised a few eyebrows.
The goalkeeper situation is not ideal either. Alisson is the number one and a world class keeper on his best day but he has been plagued by injury this season. If he is not fully fit that is a major concern. Ederson is the backup and his form has not been convincing.
Brazil are in Group C against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. They should get through that comfortably and then the real tournament begins. The worry is that this squad, for all its quality in certain areas, has too many gaps and question marks to go all the way. The front three are brilliant. Everything around them is a little fragile.
Ancelotti has won everything there is to win in club football. The World Cup would complete the set. Brazil desperately want to believe this is the year. But wanting it and having the squad to do it are two different things.
Let me know your thoughts.