Ancelotti defends Brazil youth overhaul after Thiago Silva criticism

Carlo Ancelotti has defended his decision to prioritise young players over established veterans in his latest Brazil squad, after former captain Thiago Silva questioned the scale of the team’s changes.

Silva said earlier this week that players should not be discarded simply because of their age, provided they were still capable of contributing to the national team.

Ancelotti named a 26-player squad on Wednesday for friendly matches against Australia and India. The selection includes nine players who represented Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, while eight have yet to make their international debuts.

Asked about Silva’s comments, Ancelotti said, as reported by ESPN: “One thing is certain: a player who is 34 or 35 is not the future. These players are the present. If a player of that age is ready to take part in a major tournament, he will be in the Brazil squad, but the main priority at the moment must be the young players.”

He added: “This is a balanced squad, including players who have represented Brazil at the World Cup. That will be important for the next generation.”

Several members of Ancelotti’s latest squad have never played for Brazil at senior level, with the manager also selecting players who have been performing well in the Brazilian league.

“We have young players with the quality required to represent the national team in the coming years, as well as players who are performing well in the Brazilian league,” Ancelotti said.

The former Real Madrid manager said after his team’s elimination in the last 16 of this year’s World Cup that he would oversee a new phase with Brazil and emphasised the need to introduce emerging talent.

He has also underlined the importance of beginning the rebuilding process immediately, with the 2030 World Cup in mind.

“We must give priority to the young players who will be the right age to play in the next World Cup or Copa America,” Ancelotti said.

“We now have time to deal with things more calmly and at a pace that suits us, and to assess everyone properly. The idea is very clear: to bring in a new generation of footballers. We can take our time and make the right decisions for the future.”