It will be fascinating to see how much of the old magic Neymar can conjure, but you suspect if Brazil are to be a fixture at the business end of this tournament, it will be Vincius who will be the catalyst.
Two goals in two games, including a fabulous equaliser when Brazil were 1-0 down and struggling with the all-round excellence of Morocco, has prevented an underwhelming start to the tournament becoming something more concerning.
“He’s playing very well,” said Ancelotti, who managed the Brazilian star at Real Madrid before taking over the Selecao in 2025.
“We need to use him even though we have other fantastic players. We have experience, quality and legs. I’m completely satisfied [in] all of them.
“I have to put all the players to adapt to the style of the team.”
And therein lies the genius of Ancelotti – taking the big superstars and their bigger egos and making them work as a cohesive unit.
He is the most decorated manager in Champions League history with five trophies, and the only man to win titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues.
But leading Brazil to World Cup success would further elevate the Italian’s claim to be the greatest manager ever.