Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has raised concerns about the limited playing time given to some of the country’s young talents after they move to top European clubs.
Ancelotti said the issue is affecting the development of young Brazilian players, who often leave the country at a very early age but struggle to secure regular football abroad.
According to the Italian coach, the Brazilian national team’s technical staff believes young players need regular competitive football to mature and improve.
“They don’t play here, and they don’t play abroad,” Ancelotti said, referring to the situation facing some young players.
He cited Real Madrid forward Endrick and Chelsea winger Estêvão as examples of players who moved to Europe at 18 or 19 but have faced competition for places at their clubs.
The concern comes at the start of Ancelotti’s new cycle with Brazil following the 2026 World Cup. The coach has already indicated that developing a new generation will be a major part of his work with the national team.
In his first post-World Cup squad, Ancelotti included several young players and new faces as he began preparing for the next international cycle. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said the coach wants to prioritise young players with the quality to represent the country in future tournaments.
The lack of playing time has been particularly noticeable for Endrick. A recent review of Brazil’s European-based players found that he had played only four minutes for Real Madrid in the 2026/27 season before joining the national team camp.
Estêvão has also had limited minutes at Chelsea. He recently said he remains focused on training and making the most of the opportunities given to him.
