Brazil's 2-1 loss to France at Gillette Stadium saw fans chant for Neymar despite his absence, highlighting ongoing debate over his place in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. The Italian coach deflected questions about the chants, emphasizing focus on players who performed. Ancelotti acknowledged the competition for spots in Brazil's World Cup squad while expressing satisfaction with the effort from those who played.

Ancelotti defended Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona's Raphinha after Brazil lacked offensive punch. The coach noted Raphinha's muscle discomfort forced his halftime substitution but praised his movement and opportunities. The Barcelona forward faces evaluation Friday for Tuesday's friendly against Croatia in Orlando, with his availability uncertain. Casemiro meanwhile remains confident in Neymar's quality.

Ancelotti saw improvement in the second half, particularly after Luiz Henrique's introduction, and believes Brazil can compete with the world's best teams. "I am convinced that we will fight for the World Cup with all our energy," he stated. Despite the defeat, the coach took positive lessons from the match against a strong French side that wasted time to secure victory.