Brazil's World Cup squad offers a hint of the magical pragmatism of 1994

Brazil’s attacking tradition has relied on strong defensive work from nearby players, since individual brilliance depends on others doing defensive and supporting duties. Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad includes nine attackers and nine defenders, reflecting a higher attacker count than many squads. Expanding squad size from 23 to 26 makes it easier to include specialists who might otherwise be excluded. Neymar returns to a fourth World Cup squad, and James Rodriguez is included as a generational figure capable of inspiring short bursts. Endrick is also selected despite limited plans at Real Madrid, with his loan form at Lyon standing out. Ancelotti emphasizes a focused, humble, selfless group and collective effort over individual performance.

"In their attacking heyday, Brazil never struggled to find a winning complement in defence. Individual attacking brilliance only comes off if others nearby are doing the hard yards; for every Ronaldinho, there is a Roque Junior. The current generation doesn't lack entertainers. Of Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the World Cup, which was announced on Monday, nine players are listed as attackers, a high number for most squads, with nine defenders left to sweat their responsibilities whenever possession changes hands."

"A byproduct of growing the size of men's World Cup squads from 23 to 26 is that it's easier to include specialists who may otherwise have lost out to more versatile alternatives. That's the path Neymar has taken to his fourth World Cup squad, similar to Colombia's James Rodriguez: a generational figure who can inspire his side even in short bursts. Just as surprising is the inclusion of Endrick, who struggled to become part of Ancelotti's plans at Real Madrid."

"His form on loan at Lyon this season was unmissable, though, and the 19-year-old who was once hyped as Brazil's best prospect since Neymar will try to rectify a poor start to his international career. It may not be the perfect group, but it is a focused, concentrated, humble, selfless group, Ancelotti said after naming his squad. My idea is focused on the collective, not the individual."

"A year removed from his second spell at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti has had just 10 games to assess his pool of players as he prepares for his first World Cup as a manager. The tournament isn't altogether new to him: he was a member of Italy's squad in 1990 and an assistant on Arrigo Sacchi's staff when they reached the final in 1994. The winner of that game, of course, was Brazil. While Romario, another in the nation's litany of generational forwards, shone in that tournament, the real magic came from Carlos Alberto Parreira's embrace of pragmatism."

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