Carlo Ancelotti issues Brazil selection warning to Vinicius Jr ahead of 2026 World Cup

Ancelotti reveals no player is undroppable in the national team squad.

Vinicius Junior and the other members of the Brazil national team were forewarned by manager Carlo Ancelotti that he would have “no problem” dropping any player.

During a trophy-filled period, Vinicius was one of Ancelotti’s most dependable lieutenants in the Spanish team, Real Madrid, and the two expressed mutual admiration for one another. But due to his poor play in the previous season, the Brazilian attacker will need to display that he merits the call-up.

Ancelotti sends Vinicius a warning for Brazil call-up

Ancelotti defended his respect for Vinicius in an interview with L’Equipe, but he cautioned that no one was undroppable for a country hoping to win the 2026 World Cup.

“I have a fantastic relationship with Vini,” the Italian manager insisted. “He does what I ask of him. I’ve never had any problems with him.”

“With a national team, in the end, you don’t have to deal with those issues often. If a player isn’t happy with his role, no problem, I’ll call up somebody else.

“I don’t have the obligation I had at the club level of managing a player over the course of a season.”

Rodrygo, Vinicius’s countryman and teammate, has been absent from Ancelotti’s last two squads, raising serious questions about whether he will play next summer.

Rodrygo has also lost his place in the starting lineup at Madrid and has barely played this season under the new manager, Xabi Alonso. The forward’s importance has certainly waned. Now he remains the second fiddle in the squad, often being used as a substitute.

Meanwhile, Vinicius has been occupying his space on the left. But his impact at the club appears to be wearing out, with Kylian Mbappe always being on the centre stage of the matches this season.

Both stars will need to find their rhythm if they are to be called up for Brazil’s squad during the October break.

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