Reports from "Corriere dello Sport" indicate that Brazil, under the guidance of Ancelotti, secured first place in their group not only due to the most solid defense in this FIFA World Cup, but also thanks to Danilo's contribution.
Ancelotti's Trust
By late March 2026, it was confirmed that the veteran defender would be selected for Brazil's 26-man FIFA World Cup squad. The Brazilian coach, when speaking about the player born in 1991, said: "Danilo is a very important player, not just on the field, but off it as well." He then added: "I like his character, personality, and skill. He can play all defensive positions. So, among those 9 defenders, Danilo will be on the list." Many at the time believed that Danilo was better suited as a dressing room leader and emotional anchor rather than simply a starting player. After the 1-1 draw against Morocco in the first match, he came on as a substitute; subsequently, in two big wins, he regained his starting position, with Brazil defeating Haiti and Scotland 3-0 respectively.
After defeating Scotland, Danilo commented on the Seleção's performance: "I'm very happy to help the team and my teammates. I think this is my most important characteristic: motivating my teammates and making the team better." He said this in an interview with SportTV. He then praised Ancelotti: "I think this defensive line brings the most balance to the team. Nowadays, a lot of football takes place in midfield and in duels, and I think there's always been a player missing there. I think the coach's choice is smart, and I agree with him that we can still evolve and develop more game plans."
The Sense of Responsibility in a Brazil Jersey, and Statistics
"It's important to continue improving in this regard. Our chances in this FIFA World Cup depend on everyone giving their all for the team, and everyone has already understood this spirit. Today we demonstrated that," he added in an interview with GE Globo. "We played a mature game. Next, no matter who we face, we must approach it with confidence, enthusiasm, and the awareness of representing Brazil."
The former Juventus player's leadership is not only reflected in words. In Brazil's victory against Haiti, his top speed reached 32.1 km/h, and he led in running distance in the 20 to 25 km/h range, reaching 635.7 meters, with a total running distance of 10.21 km. Such data is already impressive, and when combined with his performance in the victory against Scotland, it becomes even more significant: in that match, his passing accuracy reached 96%, his top speed reached 34.2 km/h, and he was second on the team for running distance above 25 km/h.
The 34-year-old Danilo has once again proven himself to be an excellent and reliable professional, and Brazil has found its leader.
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