‘You just trust him’: Ze Maria sees Ancelotti as Brazil’s answer

When the final whistle blew on the FIFA World Cup 2022, and Argentina were crowned champions, another message stirred hopes from across the Atlantic. 

“Mate, come and be the coach of Brazil,” it read; an unassuming but heartfelt plea from former Brazil full-back Ze Maria to one of football’s most revered tacticians, Carlo Ancelotti.

Fast forward nearly two and a half years, and on May 26, the Italian maestro, known for his icy composure and extraordinary success, will officially begin his tenure as head coach of the Brazil national team.

The man who sent that text? The first Brazilian to ever play under Ancelotti, and someone who has seen the evolution of the coach firsthand—Ze Maria.

The two first crossed paths in 1996, when Ze Maria, then fresh off an Olympic bronze medal and declining offers from European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, joined Ancelotti’s Parma.

It was the Italian’s first Serie A job, and for Ze Maria, his introduction to European football. Their relationship, built in those formative years, has endured through decades and now offers a rare, intimate insight into why Ze Maria believes Ancelotti is the ideal man to guide Brazil back to glory at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“He has been at some of the biggest clubs in the world, and you notice one thing: wherever he was, he convinced players to do exactly what he wanted—without raising his voice,” Ze Maria told FIFA.com. “He does it with that Olympic calm. You just trust him.”

That “Olympic calm” has become a hallmark of Ancelotti’s managerial style. He is the only coach to win the league title in each of Europe’s top five leagues and holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles with five. But behind these glittering accolades lies a leader who connects deeply with players–not through force, but with humility and understanding.

At Parma, Ancelotti faced one of the most challenging spells of his early career. Despite a talented squad featuring Hernan Crespo, Lilian Thuram, and Amaral, the team was rooted to the bottom of Serie A midway through the 1996/97 season.

According to Ze Maria, a tense, players-only meeting proved pivotal—not only for that campaign but for Ancelotti’s entire trajectory.

“There was no one else from the staff. Just us and him. He let everyone speak, and at the end, he said, ‘I’m sorry. I need your help to get out of this.’ I’ll never forget that,” Ze Maria said. “He changed after that. He adapted, and suddenly, the dressing room believed in him. That’s leadership.”

Parma turned their season around dramatically, finishing just two points behind champions Juventus in what remains their best-ever Serie A campaign.

It was the first major demonstration of Ancelotti’s man-management prowess, a trait that has defined his decades-long success.

“He never offends anyone,” Ze Maria continued. “Even when he gets angry, he doesn’t cross that line. That earns you respect.”

Now, Brazil—a team with unmatched flair but often lacking stability—hopes to benefit from that very attribute. Ze Maria believes Ancelotti’s experience managing global superstars at clubs like AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid has perfectly prepared him for the Seleçao challenge.

“Wherever he’s been, he doesn’t just win. He builds something lasting,” Ze Maria said. “There are coaches who come in, win, and leave chaos behind. Ancelotti always leaves a foundation. That’s what Brazil needs.”

Ze Maria, now managing Olbia in Italy’s fourth division, has followed Ancelotti’s path both literally and professionally. After retiring in 2009, he visited the Italian at Chelsea to observe his methods. What he saw left a lasting impression.

“He welcomed me like family,” he recalled. “I stayed at his house, he took me into the dressing room, introduced me to the players, showed me everything. Despite winning everything, he hasn’t changed. He’s unbelievably humble.”

As Brazil eyes a sixth world title, Ancelotti will have a wealth of attacking riches—Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Endrick, and more. Yet, as Ze Maria emphasizes, it’s not just the tactics that matter. It’s the trust.

“Brazilian players will love him. He knows how to let them play, how to bring out their best, how to lead without pressure. And when things get tough, he won’t panic. He never does.”

From a once-young full-back’s hopeful text message to the biggest stage in international football, the journey comes full circle. Ze Maria’s faith in Ancelotti is unshakable—and now, the hope of a nation rests in the calm hands of ‘Carletto’.

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