Newcastle star Bruno Guimarães spoke to ESPN Brazil after a solid 2-0 win over Senegal and reinforced his status as one of Carlo Ancelotti’s main pillars ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The midfielder has been present in every squad under the Italian, and he used the interview to praise the impact of the manager’s arrival on Brazil’s defensive structure.
“Since Ancelotti arrived, he fixed what for me was the main issue. We were conceding too many goals. The Brazilian national team cannot concede so many goals like we were suffering. He organised everything. I think we now have much more confidence to play with him. He gave confidence to everyone,” said the midfielder.
Guimarães also spoke about expectations for the World Cup, despite Brazil’s unstable qualifying campaign.
“Brazil, every time you ask anyone, arrives as a favourite. The country with the most World Cups will always be one of the favourites. But I think we’re on a very good upward path, and I hope we can arrive there and win, not only be the favourite. This time we want to consolidate and put the sixth star on the chest,” he added.
The Newcastle United man enters this window after a heavy workload at club level, but his role under Ancelotti remains unchanged. He is expected to start again as Brazil face Tunisia on Tuesday.
Guimarães continues to offer balance and influence in midfield, and his confidence in the team’s progress reflects the trust he has earned with both club and country.
His words match the view inside the national team camp: performances have improved, the structure is clearer, and Brazil aim to arrive in North America with conviction rather than uncertainty.
