Experienced Bruno Guimarães on leadership and Brazil's rebuild

Among the most experienced players in the squad called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Super FIFA international window, midfielder Bruno Guimarães detailed his leadership role in the current group and in the team’s ongoing renewal process during a press conference this Wednesday (23) in Brisbane, Australia.

With 48 appearances, the defensive midfielder is close to the 50-match mark for the Seleção. Included in Brazil squads since 2020, he now sees himself in a position to pass on experience to the newcomers and help with the transition from one generation to another.

“The most important thing is to give confidence to the younger players, to those coming in for the first time. My first call-up was in 2020, and since then a lot has happened in my life. I think the most important thing when I arrived here was that all the older players gave me confidence so I could feel as comfortable as possible and play my best football. Now I’m on this mission to give confidence to the younger players so they can feel as good as possible,” he said.

Bruno Guimarães during a Brazil national team press conference in BrisbaneCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

There are nine first-time call-ups in the group selected by coach Carlo Ancelotti (Rayan, Matheuzinho, Breno Bidon, Pedro Morisco, Mauro Júnior, Martinelli, Jair, Arthur Dias and Gabriel Bontempo). The selection of these players represents the beginning of a renewal process for the national team, which features a mix of newcomers and experienced players.

“I think renewal is always important. Obviously, you can’t change everything overnight. There are many great players who have stayed, and other great players who are coming in. It’s also important for the coach (Ancelotti), at this early stage, to have a wider range of options, to discover other players, watch them in training, see how they behave day to day (…)” he said.

Brazil’s new cycle will begin on Friday (25), with the first of two friendlies against Australia at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, at 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time).

Bruno Guimarães during a Brazil national team press conference in BrisbaneCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Check Brazil’s schedule for this Super FIFA international window:

Friday (September 25)

Brazil vs Australia – 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, in Townsville

Tuesday (September 29)

Brazil vs Australia – 7 a.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. local time), at Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane

Saturday (October 3)

Brazil vs India – 11 a.m. Brasília time (7:30 p.m. local time), at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (known as Salt Lake), in Kolkata

Bruno Guimarães during a Brazil national team press conference in BrisbaneCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.