Brazilian celebration for Ancelotti's birthday.

The players of the Brazilian national football team lined up to greet their Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti with a guard of honor on the occasion of his birthday during a training session before the World Cup on Wednesday, with the presence of director Spike Lee.

All the Brazilian national team players, except for the injured Neymar, welcomed Ancelotti with smiles as they led him onto the pitch at the team's training center in New Jersey's Red Bulls facility.

Ancelotti celebrated his sixty-seventh birthday, just three days before leading the five-time world champion Brazilian team, a record, in their opening match of the tournament against Morocco at MetLife Stadium.

The veteran director Lee, who is 69 years old, made a surprise appearance at the training session, wearing a Brazilian team jersey and cap, and said: "I want Brazil to win," adding: "Neymar is my favorite guy."

The all-time top scorer for Brazil has not played any international matches since 2023 due to injuries, and he is struggling to be fit for the start of the World Cup while recovering from a leg injury.

For his part, Lee said he wouldn't stay long, as he plans to return to Manhattan to attend the fourth game of the NBA Finals later on Wednesday evening, adding: "I'm just here for the training session, I have a game to attend tonight," referring to his favorite team, the New York Knicks, hosting the San Antonio Spurs, leading 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.