New Brazil coach Ancelotti turns down Neymar and predicts a 'better' Vinicius Júnior

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Carlo Ancelotti's first day as Brazil coach included saying “No” to Neymar and a promise to find more improvement from his former Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior.

Ancelotti was introduced on Monday at a packed press conference in a Rio de Janeiro hotel, and just to ensure he was under no illusions as to his primary task, he was welcomed by Brazil's last two World Cup-winning coaches, 1994's Carlos Alberto Parreira and 2002's Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Scolari gave Ancelotti a national team jacket and told the first foreigner in a century to coach Brazil full-time, “Just be you, the person you always were, and you will win with Brazil. We all wish you well with Brazil, we will always support you.”

The Italian, contracted to the end of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, announced his first squad for World Cup qualifiers next week against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Neymar returned to Santos only last week from a muscular injury, and that was too late for the new coach.

“Unfortunately, we have a lot of players who suffered injuries and cannot be in the national team, like Neymar,” Ancelotti said. "Brazil has many talented players, and in Neymar's specific case we are counting on him. He came back to Brazil to play and prepare for the World Cup. I spoke to him this morning to explain that to him, and he is totally in agreement.”

Ancelotti said Vinícius will grow as a Brazil striker under his management. Vinícius has been criticized by Brazil fans for not reproducing his sterling Real Madrid form in the national team.

“I am totally convinced that Vinicius will show his best version in the national team,” Ancelotti said. Then he joked, “Like Madrid. Not the one of this year, the one of last year.”

Madrid wasn't as good this season as last season, easing Ancelotti's decision to leave the club after 15 trophies in two stints.

Another talking point of his 25-man squad was the recall of midfielder Casemiro after missing out for almost a year and a half.

“The national team needs these players, who have charisma, personality, talent,” the coach said. “In modern soccer, you have to also have posture, compromise, sacrifice. And Casemiro does have that, as many of those in the squad do. That is key to prepare for the World Cup.”

The 65-year-old Ancelotti charmed about 200 media in the press conference.

On a stellar club career including a record five Champions League titles and national titles in Italy, Spain, France, England and Germany: “After 40 years I still don't know what makes teams win. I know I want players in a comfortable position on the pitch.”

On vacation plans: "I want to enjoy this country. Rio, I don't know yet. I've never been to the Christ Redeemer."

On the World Cup: “Brazilian society wants me to deliver a first World Cup title after 24 years, I know. What a tall order.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Brazil's new national soccer team head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left, receives a national soccer jersey from Brazilian Soccer Confederation President Samir Xaud during a news conference to announce the players who will compete in the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil's new national soccer team head coach Carlo Ancelotti listens to a question during a news conference to announce the players who will compete in the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil's new national soccer team head coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a news conference to announce the players who will compete in the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

NEW DELHI (AP) — India raised fuel prices by 3 rupees ($0.03) per liter Friday as the government moved to offset losses due to higher global oil prices.

In New Delhi, gasoline prices rose to 97.77 rupees ($1.17) a liter, while diesel climbed to 90.67 rupees ($1.09) a liter.

India imports about 90% of its oil and has been hit hard by rising energy prices and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It had until now avoided raising retail fuel prices despite sharp increases in energy costs, making it one of the last major economies to pass higher crude prices on to consumers.

The price increases came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to adopt voluntary austerity measures.

Modi on Sunday called on people to work from home where possible, limit foreign travel and reduce purchases of gold. He described fuel conservation and saving foreign exchange as an act of “patriotism,” and encouraged greater use of public transportation, carpooling and lower fertilizer consumption.

Opposition leaders said Modi’s appeal came only after a key round of state elections had concluded, noting that fuel prices were kept unchanged during the campaign.

Manoj Kumar, a 48-year-old taxi driver in New Delhi, said the rise in fuel prices was adding to the strain on working-class people.

“For common people like us, even one rupee has great value. People work so hard from morning till evening just to make ends meet. The government is not seeing this," he said.

Earlier this week, India also raised import duties on gold and silver to 15% in an effort to curb demand for imports that drain foreign exchange reserves.

The Indian rupee has fallen to record lows in recent weeks as higher oil prices increased pressure on imports and foreign exchange reserves.

Meanwhile, India’s capital has become the first state to roll out austerity measures.

Authorities in New Delhi on Thursday announced fuel-saving measures, including mandatory work-from-home days for some government employees. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the 90-day campaign aims to reduce official fuel use and encourage people in the capital to rely more on public transportation instead of private vehicles.

Under the plan, employees whose work can be done remotely will work from home two days a week, while private companies are being encouraged to adopt similar measures voluntarily.

India has also accelerated ethanol blending in gasoline as part of its push to cut crude oil imports.

Most fuel stations across the country now sell gasoline blended with 20% ethanol, and the government has proposed expanding the use of fuels containing 85% — or even 100% — ethanol in compatible vehicles.

Energy experts said blending biofuel can help shield from global energy shocks but can lead to further stressing already depleting groundwater resources, encroach on land meant for food crops and impact older vehicles’ engines.

AP journalists Sibi Arasu in Bengaluru, India and Shonal Ganguly in New Delhi contributed to this report.

A commuter monitors the meter as an attendant refuels his vehicle at a filling station in New Delhi, India, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)

A commuter monitors the meter as an attendant refuels his scooter at a filling station in New Delhi, India, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)