Italian manager and head coach Carlo Ancelotti of the Brazil national soccer team had a New Jersey birthday to remember on Wednesday, June 10, just days before the club’s opening World Cup match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium (temporarily rebranded NYNJ Stadium) in the Meadowlands.
Veteran filmmaker, writer, and actor Spike Lee, 69, a big-time supporter of the team, stopped by the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, where the club set up its training camp earlier this month.
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Wearing a Brazil jersey and cap, Lee watched the training session and expressed his support for the team, stating he was rooting for the record-holding 5-time World Cup champs to take home the trophy. He also praised star player Neymar, who was not in attendance due to an injury.
In honor of Ancelotti’s birthday, the Brazil players gave the coach a traditional guard of honor. The squad lined up to form a tunnel as the coach jogged through, and the players cheered.
With 79 international goals, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. A torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee kept him out of the game between October 2023 and May 2026, but he was officially called up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. A recent grade-two calf muscle tear, however, means he will miss playing the opener on June 16.
Lee stopped by to see the practice, then returned to Manhattan for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs as they defend a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Lee is called a New York Knicks “superfan”; the courtside ticketholder is regularly seen enthusiastically cheering the team. This is the first time the Knicks have made the playoffs in 27 years.
The New Yorker is also an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Rangers. A football fan as well, he has been said to follow former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick rather than a single specific NFL franchise. He has been seen at both Jets and Giants games.
