Ancelotti Called Danilo a 'Sunday-League Player' — and Left the Botafogo Midfielder Out of Brazil's Biggest Game
Richarlyson revealed on SporTV that Ancelotti preferred Martinelli over Danilo, calling him a 'Sunday-league player' with no tactical discipline. Brazil went out in the round of 16.
Brazil's round-of-16 exit to Norway already hurt. Now, the reason Danilo Santos was left on the bench hurts even more.
Commentator Richarlyson revealed on the programme Seleção SporTV that Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the Botafogo midfielder by describing him, in the coach's own words, as a "Sunday-league player" — someone who "isn't positional" and "can't hold his shape within a tactical structure". With Paquetá injured, the Italian opted for Gabriel Martinelli instead.
"I thought it was outrageous, but I respect it — he's the manager and he's very well paid to make those calls," said Richarlyson, making clear the information was not speculation.
Narrator Paulo Andrade was the one who opened the debate, pointing to Brazil's lack of identity as the main problem against Norway. In his view, the Seleção needed someone who could impose a presence in midfield and force the Norwegians to sit deeper — and Danilo was that player. Martinelli's surprise inclusion in the starting XI was a decision that, according to Andrade, proved costly.
The paradox is a cruel one: Danilo had been one of the standout performers for the Seleção in the pre-World Cup friendlies. At the tournament itself, he managed just 44 minutes on the pitch, coming on against Morocco, Haiti, Japan and Norway — never as a starter.
The controversy raises a question that goes beyond this World Cup: what does Ancelotti actually see — and what does he fail to see — when he sets up Brazil's midfield? The answer could define the Seleção's entire next cycle.