Last Tuesday (08/09), after Fluminense's victory over Argentina's Platense in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, centre-back Thiago Silva criticised the squad rebuild proposed by Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian national team. “Do you want me to lie or tell the truth? You can't rule out players who are 31, 32, 33 years old. I almost went to the World Cup at 41. You can't rule out someone who is going through a good moment. With the Brazilian national team, things have to be done gradually. You can't take everyone out and bring new players in. It has to be step by step. It's very difficult to be a Brazilian national team player, it's very different from playing for a club. He (Ancelotti) comes from European football, where it's easier to do that. It doesn't work like that here. You need to make changes and get results. And, if possible, play well. I don't like this kind of change. I don't agree with it, but he's the one in charge,” Thiago Silva said in an interview with Rádio Tupi. Ancelotti hit back at Thiago Silva. “For the objectives we have in these friendlies, it's a balanced squad. In general, I don't look at the players' ages. Right now, it's time to prioritise this, the young players who have potential and could be part of the future. One thing is certain: a 34- or 35-year-old player won't have a future, they are the present. If a player of that age is ready to play in an important competition, they will be in the national team. But right now, the priority is this, prioritising the young players,” the Brazil manager said. Ancelotti had already indicated that he would be rebuilding the Brazilian national team with the 2030 World Cup in mind. Of the players in this squad, for example, nine are under-23s.   submitted by   /u/Prestigious-Back-981 [link]   [comments]