Ancelotti Delivers Bold Message to Vinicius Jr Following Shocking Brazil Omission
Brazil's national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has cautioned his former Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and other Brazilian players that he wouldn't hesitate to bench anyone who doesn't meet expectations.
Vinicius served as one of Ancelotti's key players during their time together in Madrid, with both men sharing great respect for each other during their successful partnership. Nevertheless, the Brazilian winger experienced a dip in performance last season and was omitted from September's crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
Speaking to L'Equipe, Ancelotti reaffirmed his fondness for Vinicius while emphasizing that no player is guaranteed a spot on a team aiming to capture the 2026 World Cup.
"My relationship with Vini is exceptional," the Italian coach stated. "He follows my instructions perfectly. There have never been any issues between us.
"When managing a national squad, you rarely face such complications. If any player is dissatisfied with their position, that's fine - I'll simply select someone else. Unlike at club level, I'm not obligated to manage a player throughout an entire season."
Vinicius's Brazilian teammate and Real Madrid colleague Rodrygo has been absent from Ancelotti's recent selections, raising questions about his chances for next summer's tournament.
However, the former Madrid manager wasn't entirely critical. Ancelotti was enthusiastic in his praise for Kylian Mbappé, who joined during his final campaign in Spain.
"He [Mbappé] has never made any demands of me - not about penalty duties, playing time, free kick responsibilities, nothing," Ancelotti shared. "His conduct has been exemplary and incredibly modest. I believe his sophomore season will be even more impressive since he's completely settled and his teammates understand him better."
During Ancelotti's tenure, Mbappé netted 44 goals in his inaugural Real Madrid season, eclipsing legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Iván Zamorano to record the most successful first year in the club's history. Despite these remarkable numbers, questions persisted about whether Mbappé might be more effective playing wide left, Vinicius's preferred position. The experienced strategist disagrees with this assessment.
"In my view, Mbappé is a striker," Ancelotti stated firmly. "That position allows him to display his finest qualities. He possesses pace, technique, and skill, enabling him to create lethal combinations in confined areas. This is why he needs to be near the goal. Playing wide, he'd maintain the same quality but would likely score fewer goals.
"Football's intensity has escalated in recent years, and the physical requirements for wing players are significantly greater than before. Wide players are constantly expected to contribute more defensively. For Mbappé, playing centrally is therefore the optimal choice."
Mbappé has begun the new season impressively, scoring four goals in four matches to kick off the campaign. Vinicius trails closely with two goals and one assist, appearing to gradually rediscover his peak form.
With this attacking duo spearheading the offense, Real Madrid aims to overtake Barcelona at the pinnacle of Spanish football. Meanwhile, Ancelotti will keep a watchful eye on Brazilian talent, remaining committed to achieving success in the 2026 World Cup.