Rivaldo Weighs In on Brazil's Squad: Anthony & Casemiro's Return Praised, Neymar Omission a 'Protective Move'
Rivaldo’s Take: Why Brazil’s New Squad Makes Sense (and Doesn’t)
The Wise Old Head Speaks
When Rivaldo talks football, you’d be daft not to listen. The man’s got a World Cup winner’s medal in his pocket and enough technical knowledge to make your average pundit look like they’ve been analyzing the game through a pub window. His verdict on Ancelotti’s first Brazil selection? Mostly spot on - with one glaring exception we’ll get to later.
Casemiro: The Midfield General Returns
“Phoning Casemiro was genius,” says Rivaldo, and frankly, who are we to argue? After that shaky start at United (let’s be kind and call it an ‘adaptation period’), the 32-year-old has been back to his best - breaking up play like a nightclub bouncer with a grudge. Four Champions League medals don’t lie, and neither does Ancelotti, who clearly remembers what Casemiro brought to those Madrid sides.
Antony: From Flop to Flyer
Then there’s Antony. Christ, what a turnaround. Six months ago, United fans would have driven him to the airport themselves. Now? The lad’s scoring screamers and doing stepovers like he’s back in Amsterdam. “He’s found himself again,” says Rivaldo diplomatically. Translation: He stopped trying to be Cristiano and remembered he’s actually quite good at being Antony.
Hugo Souza: The Wildcard Between the Sticks
The surprise pick is Hugo Souza. At 25, the Corinthians keeper towers over opponents (literally - he’s 6’5”) and according to Rivaldo, “decides games.” Bold claim. Then again, Brazilians do love a sweeper-keeper who can start attacks… until they concede from a long ball over the top in minute three.
The Neymar Conundrum
Here’s where I part ways with Rivalto slightly. He calls Neymar’s exclusion “protection,” which sounds lovely until you remember this is international football, not nursery school. Yes, he’s coming off surgery. No, he hasn’t played much since Qatar 2022. But if you’re building towards 2026, shouldn’t your best player be involved somehow?
Ancelotti clearly thinks differently, preferring to avoid the circus that follows Neymar like paparazzi chasing a Kardashian. Smart? Maybe. Risk-free? Hardly. Because when Brazil inevitably struggle against some CONMEBOL minnows, guess whose phone will be ringing?
Final Thought: This squad shows Ancelotti isn’t afraid to mix old heads with new blood. But protecting Neymar now might just store up problems for later.
TacticalFury
Hot comment (8)
Rivaldo’s Take: Protection or Overprotection?
When Rivaldo talks Brazil squad, you listen – unless it’s about Neymar’s “protective vacation.” Casemiro’s return? Chef’s kiss 👌. Antony’s redemption arc? Better than most Netflix shows. But hiding Neymar like he’s the Hope Diamond? C’mon Carlo, we know you’re just avoiding the drama llamas 🦙.
Wildcard Alert: That 6’5” keeper better not get chipped by CONMEBOL’s version of Sunday league punters.
Hot take: This squad’s like a Chicago deep-dish pizza – solid base, questionable toppings. Debate me, Brazilians!
Rivaldo acertou em cheio… quase!
Quando o baixinho de ouro fala, a gente escuta. Casemiro voltando? Óbvio, o cara é um trator com diploma de Champions! Antony redimindo-se? Só parou de tentar ser o Cristiano Ronaldo e lembrou que é bom sendo ele mesmo.
Mas essa de ‘proteger’ o Neymar…
Tá mais pra esconder debaixo do tapete! Se é pra preparar 2026, não devia estar no banco pelo menos? Ou Ancelotti tá achando que a torcida brasileira tem memória de peixe dourado?
E esse goleiro Hugo Souza? Altura de prédio e coragem de leão - espero que não seja só pra apanhar bolas altas!
Vai dar merda? Claro que vai. E quando der… adivinha quem vão culpar? (Dica: não é o técnico italiano)
E aí, torcida, tão prontos pro circo? 🎪⚽
Rivaldo acertou em cheio… quase!
A análise do veterano sobre Casemiro e Antony foi impecável - o primeiro voltou a ser o “quebra-greves” de sempre, e o segundo lembrou que não precisa ser CR7 para brilhar. Mas quando fala da “proteção” ao Neymar… sério? Isso é futebol ou creche premium?
E Hugo Souza? Bem, pelo menos se falharmos em 2026, teremos um goleiro alto para pegar frutas no pé.
E vocês? Acham que o Ancelotti está sendo prudente ou só evitando o circo neymariano?
Rivaldo tiene razón… casi siempre
Cuando el mago del balón habla, todos escuchamos. Su análisis del nuevo equipo de Brasil es impecable: Casemiro volviendo a su mejor nivel (¡por fin!), Antony redescubriéndose a sí mismo (sin copiar a CR7, gracias a Dios) y Hugo Souza como ese portero alto que puede decidir partidos… o regalarlos en el minuto 3.
Pero lo de Neymar… ¿”protección”? ¡Vamos, es la selección brasileña, no una guardería! Ancelotti quiere evitar el circo mediático, pero cuando Brasil tropiece, todos pediremos a gritos que Neymar vuelva.
¿Ustedes qué piensan? ¿Protección necesaria o error estratégico? ¡Comenten abajo!
Rivaldo’s Hot Takes: More Layers Than an Onion
When the World Cup winner calls Casemiro’s recall ‘genius,’ we should probably listen - the man’s basically football Yoda at this point. Though his ‘protective move’ theory for Neymar sounds suspiciously like my mum’s excuse when she hid my PlayStation controller.
Antony’s Redemption Arc
From United’s scapegoat to Brazil’s golden boy? That’s not a glow-up, that’s a full superhero origin story. Next stop: saving kittens from trees during halftime.
Drop your takes below - is Ancelotti playing 4D chess or just scared of Neymar’s entourage?
Rivaldo tiene razón… casi siempre
Casemiro volvió para demostrar que en el United solo estaba de vacaciones. ¡Cuatro Champions no se discuten! Antony dejó de imitar a Cristiano y ahora es el rey del stepover.
Pero lo de Neymar…
¿”Protección”? Parece que Ancelotti prefiere evitar el circo mediático. Pero cuando Brasil enfrente a Bolivia y no marque, ¿adivinen quién tendrá el teléfono sonando?
¡Comenten: ¿Protegen demasiado a Neymar o es una jugada maestra?
Rivaldo’s Crystal Ball
When a World Cup winner says Casemiro’s recall is ‘genius’, you know Ancelotti’s done his homework. The man turned United’s ‘adaptation period’ (read: disasterclass) into midfield mastery again - like teaching an old guard dog new tricks.
Antony’s Redemption Arc
From flop to flying winger in six months? Even Rivalto’s diplomatic praise can’t hide the shock. Pro tip: when your €100m signing finally plays like he’s worth €50m, celebrate cautiously.
Neymar’s Bubble Wrap
Calling his exclusion ‘protective’ is like saying Qatar 2022 was ‘a bit warm’. But let’s be real – watching Brazil struggle without him will be the drama we secretly crave. Agree or fight me in the replies! ⚽🔥
Rivaldo’s Hot Takes: Sane or Bubble Wrap?
When a World Cup winner says ‘protection’ for Neymar, I half-expected Ancelotti to hand him a helmet and kneepads. Meanwhile, Casemiro’s back to being United’s midfield bouncer—just don’t ask about last season’s ‘adaptation period.’ And Antony? From flop to flair merchant faster than a stepover tutorial.
But Hugo Souza at keeper? Bold. Unless Brazil enjoys conceding long balls while their sweeper-keeper Instagrams his saves.
Hot take: Protecting Neymar now means panic calls later when Brazil struggles. Agree or fight me in the comments! ⚽🔥
