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Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has hailed the impact of Carlo Ancelotti, claiming the Italian manager has completely revitalized the Brazil national team.
Ahead of their World Cup opener, the shot-stopper admitted the team had endured a trying time before the former Real Madrid boss took the reins.
A new era of calm under Ancelotti
Ancelotti is set to make history this Saturday as the first foreign manager to lead Brazil into a World Cup and the internal reception to his appointment has been overwhelmingly positive. Having taken charge of the Seleção in May 2025, Brazil marks Ancelotti’s first international experience as a full-time coach. Speaking from the team’s Basking Ridge training base, Alisson highlighted the psychological shift since the Italian’s arrival.
“It is undeniable that the last period was very difficult for us players. We ourselves felt the difficulties we had due to several factors. Since Ancelotti’s arrival, the environment has been transformed. He carries a strong presence and gives us the calm in an environment focused on work, without controversy,” the Liverpool goalkeeper told reporters.
Management and the pressure from the Selecao
The veteran coach took over a year ago during a period when Brazil’s qualification for the 2026 tournament looked uncharacteristically shaky. Alisson, who is preparing for his third successive World Cup as the undisputed number one with Brazil drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, believes Ancelotti’s unique blend of humility and elite tactical knowledge has been the catalyst for their recent recovery.
“He is resilient, humble and has the intelligence to choose the right words at the right time. He is a great manager. He has a clear idea of football, which facilitates our style of play. These combinations favor the team. I see his joy and gratitude to coach the Seleção,” added Alisson. He even went so far as to compare the role to a political office: “He is a multi-champion, but he shows it. You can feel it. We feel it too. He has won everything in football and is here with joy and enthusiasm. His position has perhaps more pressure than being the president of the country, at its levels.”
The influence of a legendary mentor
While Ancelotti steers the overall philosophy, Alisson also took time to credit his long-time goalkeeping coach and childhood idol, Claudio Taffarel. The 1994 World Cup winner has been a fixture in Alisson’s career both at international level and during their time together at Anfield, providing a crucial link to Brazil’s successful past.
“One of the most vivid memories I have when I was six years old is the semi-final against Holland [in 1998]. My father joked when Taffarel saved the penalty. He took a cake and shoved it in his own face. I think that’s why it remained so significant,” Alisson recalled. “It’s a privilege to work with Taffarel, an idol, inspiration and reference for so many Brazilians who wanted to be a goalkeeper. In childhood it was called: ‘Taffareeel…’. He supports us in difficult moments, he has left a legacy beyond what he did as a player. Maybe people don’t see Taffarel’s importance as a goalkeeper coach. I have been able to maintain a high level for so long because I have a qualified coach like him.”
The WC campaign starts
Brazil enter the tournament with a renewed sense of purpose after the ‘difficult period’ mentioned by the clinical goalkeeper. The Seleção are desperate to break their latest hoodoo, having been eliminated in the quarter-finals of the last two World Cups and not lifting the trophy since 2002. They are scheduled to face Morocco in their opening group game this Saturday, followed by games against Haiti and Scotland as they look to secure a record sixth World Cup.
