"Cristiano could play for any national team in the world"

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo on winning the Nations League with Portugal and said the former Real Madrid striker could "play for any national team in the world" at the age of 40.

"I am very happy for him. Cristiano is a football legend and he is still a legend at the age he is because of his seriousness and professionalism. He is still at the highest level," said the Italian boss at the press conference ahead of Brazil's 2026 World Cup South American qualifier against Paraguay.

The new 'Canarinha' coach said that, with his current performance, "obviously Cristiano Ronaldo could play for any national team in the world", including Brazil. The Italian coach, who has just started his first adventure at the helm of a national team, and the Portuguese striker, now with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, worked together at Real Madrid between 2013 and 2015.

It was a successful period for both men, the highlight of which was Real's tenth Champions League title in 2014. Brazil and Paraguay meet on Tuesday in the sixteenth round of South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Both teams could guarantee an early ticket to the World Cup if they win and Venezuela are defeated in Uruguay. The match will be Ancelotti's Brazil debut as Canarinha coach, after a goalless draw in Ecuador, as his debut was away; it will also coincide with his 66th birthday.