Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazário has warned that he does not believe the Selecao are ready for a potential knockout-stage clash with the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing such a meeting as “too soon” for the current squad.
The two-time World Cup winner expressed concern about Brazil’s readiness under coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite what he described as a solid start to their tournament campaign.
“We have to avoid Holland, because it’s still too soon. I don’t think we’re ready for that clash yet,” Ronaldo said.
Brazil began their Group C campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before securing a 3-0 win over Haiti, results which have placed them in a strong position to progress to the round of 32.
However, Ronaldo believes the team is still developing and will need more time to reach the level required to compete with the strongest sides in the tournament.
“I think we’ll evolve as the tournament goes on. We’re going to improve, but we’re not ready yet. Japan and Sweden are teams we can get past without much trouble,” he added.
His comments come amid growing recognition of the Netherlands as one of the standout teams of the competition so far, with the Dutch side impressing during the group stage and being widely viewed as potential title contenders.
Brazil, meanwhile, have also received a boost with the return of forward Neymar, who has recovered from injury and is available again ahead of the knockout rounds. His return is expected to add further attacking depth as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
While Ronaldo remains optimistic about Brazil’s overall chances, his remarks highlight the respect being shown to potential knockout opponents and the fine margins that could define the latter stages of the competition.
The former striker, who famously led Brazil to World Cup triumph in 2002, has previously praised Ancelotti’s leadership and believes the Italian coach has the experience to refine the squad as the tournament progresses.
For now, Ronaldo’s message is one of caution, urging Brazil to build momentum step by step while acknowledging that some opponents may currently pose too great a challenge at this stage of their development.
