Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has sent his best wishes to Italy ahead of their World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday evening, while also offering high praise for his former Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić, now playing for AC Milan: “There is no one like him on the global market.”
Italy will play their World Cup play-off final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 20:45 on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Brazil—already qualified for the 2026 tournament—will face Croatia in a friendly match in Florida, USA, later that same night, kicking off at 02:00 in the early hours of Wednesday.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Ancelotti told reporters:
“I hope Italy qualifies for the World Cup, but I won’t be able to watch the national team tomorrow. We have to prepare for our match against Croatia.” (via ANSA)
Among Brazil’s opponents in this friendly will be former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić, who has been shining in Serie A at the age of 40 this season.
“Modrić can play in any midfield position because he is a complete and modern player—one of the best players I have ever coached and a spectacular professional with extraordinary passion for football,” Ancelotti said ahead of his reunion with the Rossoneri veteran.
He concluded: “There is no one like Modrić on the global market.”
