Cafu backs Ancelotti to rebuild Brazil after Neymar’s international farewell

Former Brazil captain Cafu says Neymar’s international career was “successful and honourable” and believes Carlo Ancelotti can build a new generation capable of challenging for the 2030 World Cup.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and currently with Santos, announced last July that he did not want to represent his country again. The decision came weeks after he suggested his international career could be over following Brazil’s last-16 World Cup exit against Norway.

“Everyone eventually reaches the end of their journey with the national team, and the most important thing is that his career was successful,” Cafu told Reuters.

“He left his mark and made history with Brazil in world football. His numbers for the national team are remarkable, and his international period was highly honourable.”

Neymar has won 130 caps for Brazil, scoring 80 goals and providing 58 assists. He played at four World Cups but won only one senior international trophy with Brazil, the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Cafu, who lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, said the team now had the opportunity to begin a new phase under Ancelotti.

“I am completely convinced that 2030 will be very different,” he said. “Brazil will have a genuine chance to win the World Cup. It is a new cycle and a new project, and Ancelotti will now have time to work and put his tactical ideas into practice.”

Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in 2025 and has remained in the role through the 2030 World Cup despite the team’s early departure from the most recent tournament.

The Italian has begun assessing a wide group of new players in recent friendlies. Almost two-thirds of the squad selected for Brazil’s World Cup campaign were absent from the team’s first post-tournament round of matches, which included international debuts for eight players.

“Rebuilding is always beneficial, particularly when it involves the Brazil national team,” Cafu added. “With these young players alongside those with experience, the team can reach the right level of cohesion.”

Brazil’s defeat by Norway was their earliest World Cup exit since the 1990 tournament. The five-time champions are still waiting to win a sixth title and move clear of the record.