Brazil legend Romario lashes out at Ancelotti: 'Should be taken to court'
Quick summary
Former Brazil striker and senator Romario publicly attacked national team coach Carlo Ancelotti, suggesting he should be 'taken to court' amid criticism of the Selecao's recent performances.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBrazilian legend Romario hits out at Carlo Ancelotti following Brazil’s World Cup elimination, even arguing that the Italian tactician ‘should be taken to court.’
Brazilians are still outraged by their national team’s World Cup exit at the hands of Norway.
The Seleçao was knocked out in the Round of 16 for the first time since Italia 90, and Ancelotti’s playing style hasn’t pleased many in the country, including former striker Romário.
Romario: Brazil should sack Ancelotti “He [Ancelotti] cannot remain Brazil’s head coach,” Romario said via Sky Sport Italia.
“If I had been in charge of the federation, I would have walked into the dressing room, told him to go to hell and torn up his contract on the spot. The match against Norway was a disgrace. I’d even take him to court. Then we’ll see what happens, but he cannot stay.
“I couldn’t even understand what he was trying to do on the pitch,” Romario continued.
“He replaced Bruno Guimaraes and put Ederson wide. He did that because he hadn’t called up any other full-back. One full-back (Wesley) got injured, and he replaced him with a central midfielder. I know there aren’t many options, but surely there’s someone better than Ederson in that position.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 24: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, speaks with Neymar Jr #10 as he prepares to be substituted in during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) “We had Dunga. He lost, and he left. We had Luiz Felipe Scolari; he won the World Cup, so he stayed. We had Tite. He lost, he stayed, and then he lost again,” Romario concluded.
“Now we have this damned Ancelotti, who has lost and will keep on losing. He made a lot of mistakes at this World Cup, and none of you in the media are saying a word. If he were a Brazilian coach, you would have torn him apart by now. But because he’s a foreigner, nobody says anything.”
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What happened
Brazilian football icon and sitting senator Romario launched a scathing public attack on Carlo Ancelotti, the current head coach of the Brazil national team. Romario, a World Cup winner in 1994, called for Ancelotti to face legal consequences, a remarkable statement given Ancelotti's stature in world football. The outburst comes amid growing pressure on Ancelotti following disappointing World Cup qualifying results. Romario, who is also a federal senator for Rio de Janeiro, has a long history of outspoken criticism of Brazilian football authorities and coaches.
Chance analysis
This controversy adds political pressure on Ancelotti as Brazil struggles in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Romario's dual role as a football legend and sitting senator amplifies the public criticism. However, Romario is well known for inflammatory rhetoric, and such statements rarely translate into direct job consequences. For prediction systems, the key signal is whether this reflects broader institutional pressure that could accelerate a coaching change before the 2026 World Cup.
Increased political and media pressure on Ancelotti's position as Brazil head coach, though unlikely to be decisive in the short term without further poor results.
Monitor Brazil's upcoming qualifiers closely — sustained institutional pressure from political figures may shorten Ancelotti's tenure if results do not improve.