RIO DE JANEIRO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Defender Marquinhos has praised the early impact of Carlo Ancelotti on Brazil's national team, expressing confidence that the newly appointed manager can inject a spark into the squad as it prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Ancelotti, who officially took charge last week after leaving Real Madrid, will lead Brazil for the first time on Thursday when the Selecao confronts Ecuador in Guayaquil. Five days later, Brazil will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo.

Wins in both matches will all but secure the five-time world champion a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Brazil currently sits fourth in South America's qualifying standings, with the top six teams earning direct entry.

"The expectations, desire and ambition are the best possible," Marquinhos told a news conference from Brazil's training base in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro, on Tuesday.

"The new manager has already shown the strength he has and what he can do in football, the intelligence he has. That's what the national team needs."

The 31-year-old said the squad had already begun to respond to the Italian's leadership and charisma.

"You can see already that Carlo brings a certain energy," the former Corinthians and Roma player said. "There is a feeling of something new and that something is coming. This short period before the [2026] World Cup is going to be very important.

"But it's just a start and we know that everything will depend on what we do on the pitch. When we start winning we can also get the fans and the press on our side and everything will be easier. Hopefully this good energy can help us to get the job done on the pitch.

Marquinhos arrived in Brazil less than three days after captaining Paris Saint-Germain to its first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at Allianz Arena in Munich.

"My voice is coming back a little now. But these were days and nights of great emotion," he said. "I think it's worth mentioning that Paris believed in a project for 12 years, even back when it seemed distant. Having managed to achieve a goal in such a way was very special. Being part of that was gratifying.

"There's only one year to go until the World Cup and within PSG I've already seen that the dynamics within a team can change very quickly. I hope that happens here in the national team as well." ■