'We don't have a Pele or a Ronaldo', says Brazil Coach

Five-time world champions Brazil's World Cup squad is undergoing meticulous analysis. A drama has unfolded over Neymar. Although he got injured after the squad was announced, he is not being left out. The question arises: How challenging and intimidating is the Brazil squad with Neymar?

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has openly said that his team no longer has an 'iconic footballer' or superstar who can single-handedly win matches, unlike the past. Therefore, to win the Hexa or sixth title at the 2026 World Cup, the entire team must shoulder the responsibility collectively, rather than relying on one individual.

Ancelotti emphasized collective cohesion the most during a press conference before the friendly match against Panama at the Maracanã Stadium. The friendly match will be played at 3:30 AM Bangladesh time tonight. Before this, Ancelotti told journalists, 'The experienced players in the team need to take on more responsibility, and the pressure on the youngsters needs to be reduced. Pressure and responsibility are on all of us. But what should we do? We should share the responsibilities.'
Ancelotti is primarily focusing on making the defense more precise without ruining the innate creativity of the attacking players. He said, 'We often say that Brazil doesn't have any superstar now. That might be true; we don't have Pelé, Romário, or Ronaldo (Nazarío) now. But we have a united team where everyone can share the responsibility.'

Although the coach talks about team football, Neymar Jr. remains the center of discussion, as always. Brazil, who haven't faced the World Cup trophy since 2002, have exited from the quarter-finals in the last two editions. Before embarking on the mission to end that regret this time, the Seleção have suffered a major blow. Due to a grade-two calf (muscle) injury, Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer Neymar cannot even practice fully with the ball.

Brazil's World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin on June 13th in New Jersey. But Neymar's injury has created significant doubt about his availability for the opening match. Previously, Ancelotti had declared that he would not keep any player in the World Cup squad unless they were 100% fit. However, he has slightly relaxed that strict rule for the magician of the number 10 jersey. The coach has full faith in this experienced star, who has scored 79 goals in 128 matches.

Clarifying his previous comment, Ancelotti said, 'In March, I said everyone must be 100% physically fit. Perhaps I couldn't explain it properly then. I can very well call up someone who isn't 100% fit at this moment but will become fit before the main matches of the World Cup. We have already lost Endrick (Estevão), Rodrygo, and Militão. But I am confident that we will find Neymar 100% fit on the World Cup stage.'