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Brazil’s shocking early elimination from the World Cup has sent tremors through the nation’s football community, and no one has been more outspoken than the legendary Romario. The hero of Brazil’s fourth World Cup triumph launched a fierce attack on Carlo Ancelotti’s management and Endrick’s missed chance during the decisive defeat to Norway.

Endrick’s costly miss under fire

The young forward Endrick became the main target of Romario’s criticism. The 19-year-old had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 58th minute, following a precise pass from Vinícius Junior, but sent his shot wide of the post. The explanation that his inexperience justified the mistake did not sit well with the Brazilian icon.

“Many people are saying, ‘Oh, but he’s young’. Forget that he’s young — he has to put the ball in the net. Young, average, old — it doesn’t matter,” Romario said on his channel, Romario TV. “If he’s playing, he has the responsibility to score. That missed goal was his mistake. When you’re in front of goal, you have to stay focused and finish, because that’s the moment that changes a match. I like him, I believe he’ll bring us joy in the future, but on Sunday, he was terrible.”

Romario calls for Ancelotti’s dismissal

The former striker did not hold back when assessing the national team’s display under Carlo Ancelotti in the United States. For Romario, the loss to Norway was an unforgivable embarrassment that should immediately lead to the termination of the Italian coach’s contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), regardless of any financial penalties.

The legendary number 11 insisted that continuing the current project after such a failure was impossible. “There’s no way Ancelotti can remain as Brazil’s coach after this fiasco, this shameful defeat [to Norway]. I’d tear up that contract and tell him to take me to court,” Romario declared.

Vinícius Junior’s leadership questioned

Not even Vinícius Junior escaped Romario’s sharp analysis. The World Cup winner questioned the leadership hierarchy within the team, particularly regarding the missed penalty by Bruno Guimaraes in the first half. According to him, the Real Madrid star should have taken responsibility himself, even if it meant defying the coaching staff’s instructions.

“I’ve heard and read that Bruno Guimaraes was chosen because he’s supposedly a better penalty taker, and that’s why he took it. Fine, he followed the coach’s orders,” Romario commented, before raising his voice. “But come on, you need to show some attitude. Vini Jr. is the main man, the best we have in the national team. He should grab the ball, take the penalty, and end the discussion right there.”

Uncertain future for Brazil

Despite the public outrage and criticism from icons like Romario, the future of Brazil’s coaching setup remains unresolved within the CBF. While some officials are in favour of retaining Ancelotti for the 2030 World Cup cycle, the mounting pressure for change following the “humiliating defeat” to Norway has placed the Italian manager’s position under severe scrutiny.