07/03/2026
๐จ Carlo Ancelotti on why he did not celebrate wildly after Gabriel Martinelliโs late winner for Brazil against Japan:
๐ฃ๏ธ โPeople asked me why I didnโt celebrate, but football is also about respect. Yes, we were happy to win, but I looked across and saw a Japanese team that had given absolutely everything. They fought with incredible courage, and I know exactly how painful a defeat like that can be.โ
โOf course I celebrated inside because my responsibility is to Brazil and qualifying was our objective. But Iโve been in football for many years, and Iโve experienced both victory and heartbreak. Sometimes the best way to respect your opponent is to remain humble in your biggest moments.โ
โJapan made us suffer for ninety-five minutes. They deserved our respect, not exaggerated celebrations. Brazil are through, but we know we must improve. Tonight we celebrate the qualification, but tomorrow we go back to work because the World Cup only gets more difficult from here.โ
Carlo Ancelotti is a legend