Gilberto Silva backs Ancelotti's Brazil but rules them out as World Cup favourites

Gilberto Silva, part of the last Brazil squad to win the World Cup in 2002, has backed Carlo Ancelotti to build a competitive team for this summer’s tournament — but stopped short of tipping the five-time champions as genuine contenders.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup, where he will serve as part of FIFA’s Technical Study Group, Silva acknowledged that Brazil are a long way from their glory days. The Seleção have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in each of the past two tournaments, and Silva says the realistic expectations inside the country have shifted accordingly.

“I don’t think Brazil are one of the main favourites,” Silva said, “but Carlo is building a squad and will be in charge of a strong team by the time the World Cup starts. The pressure is massive and the pressure will be there on Brazil for the whole tournament and for every single game.”

Ancelotti’s appointment has not been without controversy — his decision to call up Neymar while Chelsea forward Joao Pedro was omitted drew significant criticism — but Silva urged supporters to unite behind the Italian. In characteristically warm terms, he described Ancelotti as an adopted Brazilian for the duration of the competition.

“With all due respect to Carlo, I would love to see a Brazilian in charge of the Brazil national team at the World Cup this summer,” Silva said. “But I don’t see an Italian now. I see a Brazilian, and we must give our full support to the team, to the players and the coach.”

Brazil open their campaign on June 13 against Morocco, and also face Haiti and Scotland in the group stage.

Silva, who remains a regular presence at Arsenal as a guest and pundit, also singled out centre-back Gabriel as a player who could prove equally vital for Brazil. The defender has formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s title-winning defence, and Silva believes that platform can translate to the international stage.

“It is fantastic to see them do so well this season under Mikel Arteta and I am sure there is more to come,” Silva said. “I think there will be set-pieces at the tournament and you have seen Arsenal be very effective with that in the Premier League. Gabriel has been a big part of that.”

For Silva, the hope is that Ancelotti’s vast experience — and Gabriel’s commanding form — can at least push Brazil further than they have managed in recent tournaments, even if a sixth world title looks a stretch.