´My heart felt something special´ – Ancelotti delighted with Brazil bow

Carlo Ancelotti says his first game in charge of Brazil was a “special gift” despite it ending in a dour 0-0 draw with Ecuador.

There was little quality to shout about in the match, though it did move Brazil one step closer to 2026 World Cup qualification.

Ancelotti is the first foreign manager to take charge of Brazil, having left Real Madrid at the end of the 2024-25 domestic season to step into the gap left after Dorival Junior’s sacking.

And though his first match in the dugout was fairly underwhelming, that did not take anything away from the occasion for Ancelotti.

“My first match in charge of a national team, my heart felt something special,” he told the CBF website.

“I was on the bench for more than 1,800 matches, and this one was special. I think I can make an assessment of this first period; I was happy with the reception.

“I feel delighted to work with the CBF and, for me, it is a gift to be here.”

Partida encerrada no Equador. O Brasil empatou por 0x0 e segue para o próximo confronto contra o Paraguai, em São Paulo.

Rafael Ribeiro/CBF pic.twitter.com/ypttXo28HU

— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 6, 2025

Brazil only managed three shots, two of which were on target, against Ecuador, who had seven attempts.

The Selecao were without the suspended Raphinha, who enjoyed a prolific campaign with Barcelona, ing 56 goal involvements (34 goals, 22 assists) in all competitions.

“I saw the team playing better with the ball, with a slightly more fluid game,” Ancelotti added on the game.

“It was a good draw, and we left satisfied, with confidence for the next game.

“We have very good quality players. There is not much time to work, but there is the possibility of improvement because we have quality.

“I am sure that we will improve in attack. Today, we were missing an important player [in] Raphinha.”