Footage from Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland shows assistant boss Davide Ancelotti repeatedly glancing up at Neymar as the star is introduced by his father, Carlo. The gesture has sparked debate among Brazil fans, while Carlo insists Neymar “deserved”
When the camera swung to the Brazil touchline during the 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland, it captured a moment that immediately fed speculation back home.
As Neymar received instructions from Carlo Ancelotti while warming up and preparing to come on, his father’s assistant, Davide Ancelotti, appeared feet away from the action repeatedly glancing upward. At one point, Davide was seen glaring at the Santos forward and shaking his head.
Brazil fans have since split into two camps online. Some interpreted the gesture as disapproval at Neymar being brought on as a substitute. Others argued the reaction could have been anything—an expression not necessarily tied to the decision.
What is clear is the scale of the cameo itself. Neymar spent 20 minutes on the pitch, touched the ball 24 times and managed one shot in his brief appearance during the match.
The bigger debate around Neymar’s place in the squad has been there for months in Brazil. particularly given the fitness and form issues that plagued him before this World Cup. His selection was also surrounded by controversy. with Joao Pedro of Chelsea left at home despite scoring 15 Premier League goals last season.
Carlo Ancelotti, speaking afterwards, made his reasoning for the substitution plain. The manager insisted the 34-year-old “deserved” his chance.
“He had the opportunity to play, because I think he deserved to play. He trained and worked hard to recover, with professionalism,” Carlo said. “For this World Cup, I think that he can help the team with his qualities. I think he played well, the few minutes he was on the pitch.”
Carlo added that Neymar does not need any additional motivation. “Neymar needs no ulterior motivation. Everyone loves him here. He needs no motivation to wear the colours of Brazil.”
He also pointed to Neymar’s drive, saying, “Neymar is still the same, and at 34, he has the same passion he had as a kid.”
For context, Neymar arrives as Brazil’s top scorer with 79 goals, but his later career has been repeatedly disrupted. An anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023 led to extended absences. while various smaller injuries last season for Santos further hampered him.
Carlo and Neymar will now be chasing timing as the knockout stage comes quickly. Brazil are set to play Japan in their round of 32 game, and if they win, a showdown would follow against either Ivory Coast or Norway.
The Davide moment, however brief, has already turned one substitution into a talking point—one that captures the tension of a World Cup campaign where every decision, especially around a player like Neymar, lands under a harsh spotlight.
Davide Ancelotti Carlo Ancelotti Neymar Brazil vs Scotland World Cup Joao Pedro Japan Ivory Coast Norway round of 32
Why is he looking up like that? Seems shady.
People are acting like Davide disapproved but like… maybe he’s just checking something? Also Neymar came on for like 20 min and people still care that much? lol.
Neymar’s time on the pitch was only 20 minutes and he touched it 24 times, so clearly it was a planned thing right? If Davide shook his head maybe it was about Joao Pedro not making the squad or something. Idk, I’m just guessing from what I saw.
Carlo said Neymar “deserved” it but the whole Joao Pedro left at home thing still feels wild to me. Then you got Davide staring and shaking his head like he’s mad, so I don’t buy the “it could’ve been anything” excuse. Fans are gonna run with whatever angle they want anyway. Plus Neymar had fitness issues before the World Cup so I’m surprised he even got subbed in.