Marquinhos advises Ancelotti: Follow Luis Enrique's collective example in Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti's arrival on the Brazilian national team's bench has generated a wave of expectations and countless opinions on the direction the Canarinha should take. In this scenario, Marquinhos, the experienced Paris Saint-Germain defender and a pillar of the Seleção, has offered key advice to the new strategist: take note of the example set by Luis Enrique, his recent coach at PSG, and prioritize teamwork over individual brilliance.

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Marquinhos's message is clear and forceful. The Brazilian center-back suggests Ancelotti adopt a philosophy that Luis Enrique successfully implemented at Parc des Princes: focusing on the strength of the collective. This reference is particularly significant, given that Luis Enrique managed to build a robust and functional PSG precisely after the departure of a superstar like Kylian Mbappé. "You have to follow Luis Enrique's example," Marquinhos reportedly conveyed, highlighting how the Spanish coach "built a strong team by emphasizing collective function over individual names."

This recommendation is not trivial for the context of the Brazilian national team. Historically, Brazil has been a nation of great individual talents, which has often led to criticism of over-reliance on its stars. Marquinhos's vision for Ancelotti is that he needs to "assess the available talent and use it to benefit the team"—implying a shift in paradigm towards greater cohesion and mutual reliance among players, rather than expecting a single figure to decide matches.

The challenge for Ancelotti is considerable. Despite his successful career at club level, where he has often skillfully managed locker rooms full of star players, national team football presents different dynamics. The lack of time for training and the need to integrate players from different leagues and footballing cultures make the ability to build team spirit fundamental. Marquinhos's advice, coming from someone who has closely experienced the transition at PSG and Luis Enrique's philosophy, offers a valuable and practical perspective.

Marquinhos's suggestion could resonate with Brazil's need to find a more solid identity, less dependent on individual flashes in the post-Neymar era (or with Neymar in a more integrated role). Luis Enrique's success in making PSG function as a well-oiled machine, even without Mbappé's differential factor, serves as an appealing model for a national team that, despite boasting world-class players, has stumbled at key moments precisely due to a lack of that collective harmony.

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In essence, the PSG defender not only praises his former coach's work but also outlines a roadmap for Ancelotti in Brazil. It's a call for pragmatism and for building a team where the system and unity prevail, seeking to make the sum of the parts greater than their individual talents. This advice, if heeded, could mark the beginning of a new and successful era for the Seleção under Carlo Ancelotti's direction.