Brazil's World Cup exit puts £8.5m Ancelotti deal at risk

Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway in the World Cup last 16 has extended the nation’s wait for a record-extending sixth title to six consecutive tournaments. The loss has sparked a fierce domestic backlash focused on the team’s identity and the expensive contract of their European manager. The Brazilian football association now faces a significant financial commitment under severe scrutiny.

Carlo Ancelotti was handed a new four-year contract worth £8.5m a year just months before the tournament. However, his game plan in the knockout stage has been widely dismissed as a failure. Brazil recorded just 34% possession against Norway, their lowest in a World Cup match since records began in 1966.

Writing in Globoesporte, Cahê Mota noted that Brazil deliberately ceded the ball and bet on speed in transition, a tactic that yielded little. The failure of this approach has raised questions about the commercial viability of the "joga bonito" brand. Pundit Mauro Cezar Pereira was scathing about the departure from tradition. “It’s shameful to see a Brazil team, which for years has relied on marketing ploys like ‘joga bonito’, having a strategy to give the ball to the opponent and only play in transition,” he said.

He called the style “cowardly” and criticised “the poor quality of Carlo Ancelotti’s work.” The managerial fallout also centres on specific in-game decisions, particularly the handling of Bruno Guimarães, who missed a first-half penalty. Mota argued the missed spot-kick would have altered the match, but that Brazil ultimately did not know how to be lethal. “You can’t even say the defeat happened but we played like Brazil,” Mota wrote.

Ancelotti’s most controversial decision was introducing Neymar, which pundits argue directly caused the defensive collapse. Moving the all-time record goalscorer into the centre pushed Vinícius Júnior and Endrick out wide, weakening the team. “From the moment he entered, Norway had even more possession. They attacked more and built plays until they scored goals. With Neymar, Endrick and Vinícius, Brazil became even weaker in combat, in the fight for possession, and were definitely subjugated by the Norwegians. Suicide,” Mauro said.

Neymar has now retired from international football with 130 caps and 80 goals. The immediate priority for the association is the Copa América in two years, which is also expected to be held in the US. Demands are growing for a full reset, moving on from the current generation. If Ancelotti’s results do not improve at that tournament, he is unlikely to survive to the end of his lucrative deal.