Perhaps most importantly, this club-level surge offers hope for their national team, record five-time world champions.
Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said that his unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset.
At 65, the Italian star manager, who has five Champions League titles under his belt, is taking the reins of a national team for the first time.
“He never offends anyone,” Ze Maria continued. “Even when he gets angry, he doesn’t cross that line. That earns you respect.”
The former defender knows Ancelotti well after they shared two seasons at Real Madrid.
According to Globo Esporte, the Santos icon has been included in Brazil’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, even though he has not featured for club or country since suffering a fresh injury on April 16 against Atlético Mineiro.
"If we changed four coaches in less than three years, something isn't working (...) In my opinion, Ancelotti was brought in to get results, so we have to help him," said Dunga, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and former coach of the national team.
Widely considered the greatest female footballer of all time, the number 10 last wore the Brazil jersey in the Olympic final, losing 1-0 to the United States on August 10 in Paris.
Brazil wants to reclaim its crown. Ancelotti wants one final masterpiece. The timing may be perfect.
Juventus defender Bremer, Atalanta midfielder Ederson and Porto forward Pepe have been added to the squad, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement on Sunday.
The country of Pele, Garrincha and Ronaldinho, which once wowed the world with its 'samba' style, has not won the World Cup since 2002. Nor has it produced a Ballon d'Or winner since Kaka in 2007.
Immediately after winning the final, Dunga and team-mates proudly paraded a banner reading: ‘Senna, we accelerated together, the [fourth title] is ours!’
The five-times World Cup winners are renowned for their "jogo bonito" philosophy and reputation of churning out the world's most talented players, the latest being 17-year-old starlet Endrick who scored against England on Saturday.
The Brazilian team and national federation had been criticised for their silence concerning the cases of striker Robinho and full-back Alves, both aged 40.
"I just want to be Endrick. I want to show them who Endrick is," he told AFP in an interview at an event with a new sponsor in Sao Paulo.
The CBF "will take legal action against those involved in these crimes," it said in a statement.
The world is grieving for Pelé, one of its most gifted sons, who won the universe with his football skills.
Opposition defenders ganging up on players like Neymar is nothing new.
With flags flying everywhere and people putting on football shirts, it’s a magical time. But nobody makes the most of this time like Argentina or Brazil fans. It is said often that Bengalis are a passionate lot and it certainly shows when the World Cup begins.
