Written by Han Bing Given Neymar's fragile physique and his advanced age of 34, Ancelotti must prepare thoroughly for the World Cup with a team that does not include Neymar. In fact, over the past nine months, he has indeed been working hard, continuously evaluating players, refining tactics, and accomplishing the reshaping of the Brazilian national team. However, the statistics are embarrassing: since October 2023, Brazil without Neymar has played 27 matches, achieving only 11 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, with a win rate as low as 40.7%. The team scored only 41 goals in total, averaging 1.52 goals per match, and only six times managed to score three or more goals in a single game. This is not a catastrophic performance, but it also does not meet the standard expected of Brazil as a World Cup favorite.

Over the nine months since Ancelotti took charge, Brazil's defensive performance has improved, but the structural deficiencies in the attack have not been alleviated. The team struggles to break through, lacking players who can disrupt opponents' compact defenses, win fouls, create chaos, or change the rhythm of the game. Ancelotti used seven forwards against France, yet they still relied on center-back Bremer to score. The Brazilian team has already experienced four coaches and 94 players in the 2026 World Cup cycle, with Ancelotti alone calling up 56 players, yet he has consistently failed to resolve the tactical reshaping of "de-Neymarization".

The question of whether Neymar is needed presents two opposing choices for the Brazilian team: like Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, continue to build a more cohesive team around a superstar core; or completely abandon Neymar, as stated by "Globo Esporte," to create a team wearing the Brazilian jersey that resembles a European squad?

Can they play "Carnival" football without Neymar?

Before facing the World Cup's main opponent France, Ancelotti, in an exclusive interview with SBT television, elaborated on how Brazil's Carnival culture influences his tactical philosophy. Early in 2026, he experienced the samba-flavored Carnival in Brazil, integrating Brazilian culture with his football philosophy: "Brazil's DNA is talent, vitality, and joy. Brazilian football is like Carnival, full of energy, joy, artistry, and talent, yet also highly organized and precise. The meticulously arranged floats, the accurate performance timing—all these can be incorporated into everything about the Brazilian national team."

To achieve this goal, not only Ancelotti but all four coaches of the 2026 World Cup cycle for Brazil have been striving to decentralize. That is, shifting from relying on Neymar as the sole offensive core to a more dispersed attacking approach. Ancelotti's method is a four-forward tactic, pairing two wingers with two center forwards, distributing offensive responsibilities among multiple players. This structural change increases the unpredictability of attacking methods and reduces tactical dependence on individual ability. Ancelotti endeavors to enhance the speed of transition between offense and defense through a more balanced approach, implementing a broader attacking layout, and creating more offensive space through collective movement of all players.

Among them, Vinicius Jr. has become the new offensive protagonist for Brazil. Ancelotti hopes to increase offensive diversity, using an attack-oriented approach to alleviate pressure on the defensive system. Ancelotti extensively evaluates new players, and tactically shifts towards younger players and more dynamic systems. However, evidently, such a transformation has not been completed. More Brazilian players playing in the Premier League are gradually making Brazil's tactics more Premier League-like, rather than the "Carnival" style promised by Ancelotti.

The current Brazilian team more frequently arranges tactics around fluidity, pressing intensity, and positional flexibility. Players like Vinicius Jr. provide direct, high-speed, and vertical threats from the wings. This is a mainstream tactical system in Europe, forming a sharp contrast with Neymar's more central, possession-oriented creative role. For Ancelotti, this is also a necessary compromise. Neymar's long-term injuries mean Brazil must prepare a B-plan without him. Moreover, frequent injuries affect his contribution to defense and his ability to maintain high-intensity pressing.

Can Brazilians achieve what Argentina did in 2022?

Brazilian legend Zico criticized Neymar for lacking discipline, preventing his career from reaching the heights of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he still supports Neymar going to the World Cup. Actually, most Brazilian legends hope Neymar can join the team for the World Cup, not only because the Brazilian team has been accustomed to tactics centered around him as the offensive core for over a decade, but also because he is the best candidate to solve the current structural deficiencies in Brazil's attack. A healthy and stable Neymar could enable Brazil to break through tight defensive formations with his individual creativity. Breaking down compact defenses is precisely the most lacking offensive capability in the current Brazilian team.

Whether Brazil needs Neymar tactically is actually beyond debate. A healthy Neymar remains the most creatively offensive player in the current Brazilian team, and no coach would abandon such a creative core. But how to accommodate the drawbacks of Neymar's declining physical fitness and speed due to age? The Argentine team from the 2022 World Cup might be worth Brazil's reference. Scaloni adjusted the previous tactical system centered on Messi, transforming the rigid offensive core tactics into a more fluid approach, where all players constantly run and engage in high pressing to share Messi's defensive burden. Four years ago, Argentina was both led forward by Messi and protected by the entire team as they advanced. The question is, does Neymar possess such capability? Can the entire Brazilian team achieve such unity and mutual dedication?

During Ancelotti's tenure, Brazil has evaluated 17 forwards, with only Vinicius Jr. being a stable mainstay in attack. Without Neymar, Brazil's possession is more patient, relying more on crosses from the wings, but the fluency in the attacking third is significantly reduced. If Neymar can return, he could provide a different solution in disrupting opponents' defenses. Ancelotti should try, like Scaloni did, to allow Neymar to play "comfortably and freely" just as Messi did for Argentina. Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Pochettino reminded his Italian predecessor: "Brazilian players have something special inside them; they love football because it allows free creativity like dancing, following their heart. When I played at Paris Saint-Germain, my teammate was Ronaldinho; when I coached, my subordinate was Neymar. They need to feel joy to perform at their best."

Pochettino emphasized that what the Brazilian team needs is not a strict, iron-willed manager, but a guiding coach who can relax them and stimulate their potential. However, a pragmatic Italian coach likely lacks sufficient time and patience to tailor a tactical system that makes Neymar happy, given his uncertain health and condition. Even though, from the Brazilian perspective, the Samba军团 centered on Neymar plays what is truly considered "Carnival football."