Carlo Ancelotti praised the new leaders of the Brazil national team
With doubles from Estevao and Rodrygo, Brazil beat South Korea 5-0. Carlo Ancelotti continues to improve La Canarinha
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the great performance of Estevao and Rodrygo, authors of four of the five goals scored by the 'Verdeamarelha' against South Korea in a friendly preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
“It was a complete team match. We played very well with and without the ball. The commitment was very high, as was the play and the quality,” the Italian coach emphasized in the post-match press conference at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul.
The former Real Madrid manager specifically praised Estevao and Rodrygo, who in his opinion “played a very good match.”
“Up front, the team has a lot of variety and offensive solutions, today we saw the individual quality of those players,” he noted.
Brazil clearly beat South Korea on Friday, 0-5, in the first friendly preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which begins in eight months in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Rodrygo, who was returning to the senior team after more than six months of absence, and Estevao, the pearl of Chelsea from 18 years old, each scored a brace. Vinicius Junior completed the Canarinha's 1-0 victory in the closing stages of the match.
For 'Carletto', the key was the first goal, scored by Estevao in the 13th minute, as it forced South Korea to open up their defense, giving the Brazilians more space.
"I think today the team showed that they can play with intensity, quality, and commitment (...) Korea faced a Brazil team at a very high level today," he added.
The five-time world champions will face Japan in Tokyo in four days, while Korea will play Paraguay, also qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
After these two friendlies, Brazil will play four more—two against African teams and, presumably, two more against European teams—before Ancelotti announces the final squad for the World Cup.

