Romário demands Ancelotti's sacking after Brazil's loss to Japan

Brazil conceded a 3-2 defeat to Japan on Saturday in a friendly match, with the Japanese scoring the winning goal in extra time despite a brace from Vinícius Júnior. The match ended in confusion: head coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were both sent off for protesting.

The defeat immediately triggered a barrage of criticism against the Italian manager. Romário, a Seleção legend and 1994 World Cup champion, did not mince words. “Ancelotti, it’s over! Pack your bags and go! No one questions your record. You are one of the greatest coaches world football has ever known, but you proved it at club level. With the Brazilian national team, so far, you have not been up to the task. We can’t take it anymore!” he declared in comments reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former striker went further in his indictment: “He did not understand the dynamics of a national team and, above all, he did not understand what Brazilian football and the green and gold shirt represent. It’s high time things changed. Goodbye!”

This outburst comes in an already fragile context for Ancelotti. At the last World Cup, Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16 by Norway — an underperformance that nonetheless did not cost the coach his job. The Brazilian confederation had then chosen continuity; the pressure exerted since by results and critical voices like Romário’s now complicates this position.

The Seleção will have a chance to respond on the pitch on Tuesday with another friendly match against Singapore.