Finally, a little after 21:00 in Miami, in strode Carlo Ancelotti to address the hundreds of journalists waiting to hear his thoughts on Brazil's World Cup meeting with Scotland on
The report indicates that we had been told to expect his arrival at 19:15 local time.
It further notes that finally, a little after 21:00 in Miami, in strode Carlo Ancelotti to address the hundreds of journalists waiting to hear his thoughts on Brazil’s World Cup meeting with Scotland on Wednesday.
Well, sort of. Questions relating to Scotland for Brazil coach Ancelotti were few and far between.
The Brazilian journalists wanted to know about Neymar, the country’s record goalscorer, set to play in the famous yellow for the first time in almost three years.
They wanted to pick Ancelotti’s brain about Vinicius Jnr, the Real Madrid superstar who seems to be their best hope of reproducing the kind of fireworks that the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been serving up at this World Cup.
They wanted insight on every aspect of Ancelotti’s project to turn this group of talented individuals into a team that can end Brazil’s 24-year wait for a World Cup.
Coincidentally, the last time they endured such a barren run, they ended it here in the United States, when Romario, Bebeto et al led the Samba Boys to victory at USA ’94.
The Brazilian media wanted to soak up every piece of information their legendary manager was willing to impart on his star-studded squad. Scotland was not high on the agenda.
Normally, banging in the most goals – 79 to be precise – in the history of your national team is a sure-fire way to secure undying adulation among the country’s fans.
Yet Neymar is not universally loved in his homeland, and his selection ahead of Chelsea’s Joao Pedro in the World Cup squad sparked huge debate in Brazil.
He has not played for his country since October 2023 and missed out on the 1-1 draw with Morocco in the Group C opener through injury.
Ancelotti says the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain striker is ready to make his long-awaited return against Scotland.
“He is available. He trained very well this week. He is fit and ready to play,” stated Ancelotti.
“We are very happy. He is a high-quality player. He can play half-time or the whole 90 minutes. He’s very well, he worked very hard. So he is ready.
