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Brazilian football icon Ronaldo has raised questions over Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical decisions following the Selecao’s underwhelming start to their World Cup campaign. The former striker pointed out what he viewed as the misuse of Barcelona winger Raphinha and suggested that nerves contributed to Brazil’s goalless draw against Morocco.

Ancelotti’s questionable use of Raphinha

Ronaldo, who previously played under Ancelotti at AC Milan, expressed confusion about the positioning of some key players in Brazil’s opening World Cup match. Speaking on ESPN Brasil’s ‘Resenha da Copa’ ahead of the fixture against Haiti, the former striker highlighted his concern with Raphinha being deployed on the left wing instead of his usual right-side role, where he has excelled for Barcelona.

“Raphinha on the left, after such an incredible year with Barcelona playing on the right? Some things were difficult to understand, although it started improving in the second half,” Ronaldo commented.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner argued that playing Raphinha out of position reduces Brazil’s natural width and direct attacking style, limiting the winger’s impact compared to his performances at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Pressure and nerves in the Morocco stalemate

Although Ronaldo criticised the tactical approach, he also acknowledged that Brazil’s players may have been affected by the psychological strain of their World Cup opener. He observed that even experienced players such as Casemiro seemed off their rhythm, pointing to uncharacteristic technical errors as signs of collective anxiety within the team.

“I remain very optimistic. I think it was the pressure of the first match. It wasn’t normal to see so many misplaced passes, especially in the first half. Casemiro was receiving the ball with his back turned, you know? I think nerves interfered with the team’s performance. Later, when I watched the interviews with Ancelotti and the players admitting their nervousness, I felt calmer too. It’s normal, right? It’s the World Cup — you get that kind of tension, especially among the newcomers,” Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo calls for Luiz Henrique on the right

Looking ahead to Brazil’s next match against Haiti, Ronaldo suggested a change on the right flank to restore the attacking width that was missing in the first game. He proposed Botafogo winger Luiz Henrique as a player capable of stretching the field and easing congestion in midfield.

“I don’t know if Ancelotti will make this move, but if it were up to me, I’d do it. Luiz Henrique came on and did really well, opening up play on the right. [Lucas] Paqueta couldn’t do that, and Raphinha didn’t manage to open the game on that side the way Vinicius did on the left. This helps to clear the midfield. When Brazil has more space, we play better in any situation. I think this small change could make a big difference,” the former striker explained.

Respect for Morocco and trust in Ancelotti

Despite his critique, Ronaldo was quick to praise Morocco for their disciplined and energetic display. He also reaffirmed his confidence in Ancelotti’s ability to make the necessary adjustments for Brazil to improve as the tournament progresses.

“We should also give credit to Morocco. What a fascinating team — fast, strong, and well-organised. It was a tough challenge. I think Ancelotti is a phenomenon — experienced, good with players, and an excellent communicator. With his vast experience in football, he’ll fix what went wrong, both what he saw and what we noticed,” Ronaldo concluded.

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