Are Brazil On The Verge Of A New Super Team?

Brazil has long been home to some of the most entertaining and iconic footballers in the history of the sport. From the magical footwork of Pelé and Garrincha to the explosive power of Ronaldo, the mesmerising trickery of Ronaldinho, and the cultured precision of Kaka, the country has produced generations of footballing royalty. With players like Zico, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Cafu also adding to the list of Brazilian greats.

This rich tradition of flair and success is reflected in their trophy cabinet, which boasts five World Cup titles and nine Copa América triumphs. However, Brazil’s last World Cup win came back in 2002, when they lifted the trophy in Japan, while their most recent Copa América victory came in 2019 — their first in 12 years.

Now, with a fresh wave of young talent breaking through, seasoned veterans providing stability, and the legendary Carlo Ancelotti taking over as head coach, there is renewed optimism that Brazil can return to the pinnacle of world football at the 2026 World Cup.

🚨 Carlo Ancelotti will lead Brazil into the 2026 World Cup 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/KUID9NcofC

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 12, 2025

New Brazilian Talent

A promising crop of young talent has emerged from Brazil over the past few seasons, and they are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the national team back to international dominance.

Endrick

At just 18 years old, Endrick has already gained valuable experience at Real Madrid, making 35 appearances and scoring 7 goals in his debut season since signing from Brazilian club Palmeiras. The transfer fee was reported to be €60 million, with an additional €12 million in taxes, making it one of the most significant deals in Brazilian football history.

Endrick made his debut on August 25, 2024, in a La Liga match against Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute, he scored his first goal for the club just ten minutes later, becoming the youngest foreign player to score for Real Madrid in La Liga history at 18 years and 35 days old.

Since then, Endrick has been gradually integrated into the team, making appearances in various competitions, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. His debut season has been marked by moments of promise as he adapts to European football and continues his development at one of the world's most prestigious clubs.

Vitor Roque

At just 19 years old, Vitor Roque has already had a whirlwind journey in European football. After making his professional debut with Athletico Paranaense in Brazil, where he scored 28 goals and provided 11 assists in 81 appearances, he moved to FC Barcelona in July 2023 for an initial fee of €30 million.

The forward made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on January 4, 2024, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas. He scored his first goal for the club later that month, netting the winner in a 1-0 league match against Osasuna.

Roque initially struggled for regular playing time, featuring in just 16 matches and scoring two goals during his first stint at Barcelona. To gain more minutes, he joined Real Betis on a season-long loan in August 2024, where he found more consistent playing time, making 28 appearances across all competitions and scoring seven goals.

However, his loan spell was cut short in February 2025, and he returned to Barcelona before securing a permanent move to Palmeiras for €25.5 million, with an additional €5 million in potential bonuses. Since rejoining his homeland, Roque has contributed 3 goals in 11 appearances for Palmeiras as he looks to regain his form ahead of the Club World Cup.

Estêvão Willian

At just 18, Estêvão Willian is rapidly emerging as one of Brazil's most exciting young talents. Currently playing for Palmeiras, he is set to join Chelsea in the summer of 2025 for around €34 million (£28.7 million).

Willian has impressed at Palmeiras with his exceptional dribbling, pace, and vision, drawing comparisons to some of the game's greats. He has contributed 8 goals and 3 assists in 27 appearances this season and has already earned 4 caps for the national team after making his debut in September 2024.

Savinho

Savinho, 21, has enjoyed a strong debut season at Manchester City. Known for his flair, agility, and creativity on the wings, he has often drawn comparisons to players like Riyad Mahrez. Though he primarily operates on the right flank, his versatility allows him to play on either wing.

Savinho has made a positive impact at City, contributing 2 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances this season. On the international stage, he has 13 caps for Brazil, scoring once and providing one assist, both against Paraguay in the 2024 Copa América.

Vitor Reis

Another promising Brazilian talent now at Manchester City is 19-year-old centre-back Vitor Reis. Signed from Palmeiras for £29.6 million in January 2025, Reis has made just one appearance for City, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 FA Cup win over Leyton Orient.

Reis is known for his composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and versatility, capable of playing in both back-four and back-three systems. Having captained both Palmeiras and Brazil’s youth teams, he is seen as a potential future leader for both club and country.

🤍 Endrick: “Here we’ve Vini, Mbappé, Jude and Rodrygo… the four best players in the world. I’m NO ONE”.

“I’m here to work and it’s not about who starts, I have to do my best and work hard to stay at Real Madrid my whole life”. pic.twitter.com/6TQHgfxMYO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2025

Experienced Players

When building a winning formula, experienced players are vital in managing pressure and guiding younger players through key moments. With the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian manager is reportedly bringing back experienced players such as Casemiro and Neymar to the Brazil squad.

However, the team already boasts a wealth of experience and serial winners. The likes of Alisson, Ederson, Marquinhos, Danilo, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, Bruno Guimarães, and Joelinton have all featured extensively for Brazil, while also collecting multiple league titles and Champions League experience between them.

Now, it is their responsibility to mentor the emerging talent and help bring the World Cup back to Brazil for the first time since 2002.

Having a seasoned serial winner like Carlo Ancelotti at the helm can only strengthen the nation's hopes.

🚨🇧🇷 Carlo Ancelotti has already made initial plans to discuss Casemiro’s return as part of Brazil squad.

The relationship has always been excellent and Carlo wants more leaders to be part of the squad, including Man United’s midfielder. pic.twitter.com/dDpvHr8kyu

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2025

Ancelotti At The Helm

That’s right — earlier this week, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed the new head coach of the Brazil national team. One of the world’s most respected and decorated managers of all time, Ancelotti is set to begin his duties on May 26, 2025, once the La Liga season comes to an end.

During his illustrious managerial career, the Italian has won it all, as this list of his achievements demonstrates:

AC Milan (2001–2009)

Serie A: 2003/04

Coppa Italia: 2002/03

Supercoppa Italiana: 2004

UEFA Champions League: 2002/03, 2006/07

UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007

FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Chelsea (2009–2011)

Premier League: 2009/10

FA Cup: 2009/10

FA Community Shield: 2009

Paris Saint-Germain (2011–2013)

Ligue 1: 2012/13

Real Madrid (2013–2015, 2021–2025)

La Liga: 2021/22

Copa del Rey: 2013/14, 2022/23

Supercopa de España: 2021/22, 2022/23

UEFA Champions League: 2013/14, 2021/22

UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2022

FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2022

Bayern Munich (2016–2017)

Bundesliga: 2016/17

DFL-Supercup: 2016, 2017

With 27 major trophies under his belt, Ancelotti will be aiming to add international silverware to an already stellar resume.

This appointment marks a historic moment as Ancelotti becomes the first foreign manager to lead Brazil’s men’s national team since 1965.

Ancelotti’s debut matches with Brazil are scheduled for June 5 and June 10, 2025, against Ecuador and Paraguay, respectively. These will offer the first glimpse of his plans for the Brazil squad, as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With a mix of exciting new prospects, seasoned veterans, and a serial winner like Ancelotti at the helm, Brazil’s future looks bright. The question that remains is: Can Ancelotti guide Brazil back to the top of football and restore their place as one of the most feared nations in the world?

Look back at Brazil's 2-0 triumph over Germany in the 2002 Final, their only #WorldCup clash - http://t.co/7IaxSTus9A pic.twitter.com/WCTlsaPQzg

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 9, 2014