On the way to the first of their five World Cup titles in 1958, Brazil produced an iconic move in a 3-0 victory over Austria. “I remember it to this day,” said Zagallo, left winger on that team, in 2013. Nilton Santos was the left back, an eminently defensive position at the time.
“He started to attack, and I shouted: ‘Go ahead and I’ll take your place'”, recalled Zagallo. “Our technician [Vicente Feola] he despaired, but ended up applauding when Nilton surprised the entire opposing defense and scored the goal. From then on, the full-backs never played the same way again.”
It was the first in a series of great moments for the Brazilian full-backs in building their fifth world championship.
In 1958 and 1962, right and left belonged to the historic Djalma Santos and Nilton Santos. In 1970, the most beautiful goal by the best team of all time was by Carlos Alberto. In 1994, the trophy would not have been lifted without a bomb from Branco and a cross from Jorginho. In 2002, the duo was formed by the exceptional Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
In 2026, in the fight for hexa, the players are not of the same level. The team is experiencing a rare moment of shortage on the flanks, and the first to admit this is coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose job has become more difficult this week.
Everything indicated that he would use defender Éder Militão on the right, who was his athlete at Real Madrid and has already performed the role. The 28-year-old midfielder, however, had to undergo surgery on his left thigh and is out of the World Cup.
If the initial option was an improvisation, the alternatives, to a certain extent, are as well. Wesley, 22, who emerged as a right back, plays for Roma as a left winger, in an attacking role. Danilo, 34, was a full-back for much of his career, but today he is Flamengo’s reserve defender.
Ancelotti already confirmed, even before Militão’s injury, Danilo’s name in the list of 26 to be announced on the 18th. And he made it clear that the choice is more linked to experience and the role as silent leader than to production within the four lines.
“Danilo is a very important player, not just on the field. It’s certain that he will be on the final list because I like him. As a character, as a personality, also as a game”, said the Italian, in a clear gradation in the list of qualities. “Among the defenders will be Danilo.”
Since taking over the selection, in addition to those already mentioned, the coach has called up Vanderson, 24, from Monaco, who is recovering from injury, Paulo Henrique, 29, from Vasco, and Vitinho, 26, from Botafogo. Ibañez, 27, an Al Ahli defender who was last called up, could also be adapted to right back.
The situation on the left is not so different. In the current scenario, according to the commander’s instructions, those chosen will be defensive players Alex Sandro, 35, from Flamengo, and Douglas Santos, 32, from Zenit.
Carletto even showed confidence in Caio Henrique, 28, from Monaco, another who is recovering from injury. Also tested were Carlos Augusto, 27, from Inter Milan, Luciano Juba, 26, from Bahia, and Kaiki, 23, from Cruzeiro. There is a clamor among black and white fans for Matheus Bidu, 26, talented with the ball at his feet and in great form at Corinthians, but it seems highly unlikely that someone will be taken to the World Cup without any previous experience in the national team.
This is the scenario on the sides, which are fragile by Brazil’s historical standards. The priority, according to the commander, will be given to defensively solid players, capable of making tackles and initiating counterattacks for the team’s fast attackers, such as Vinicius Junior.
It will not be with Djalma Santos and Nilton Santos that the green-yellow team will seek the 2026 trophy, as it did in 1958 and 1962. The hexa poster, if it comes, could have Douglas Santos.
