According to a report by GOAL on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Brazil defender Douglas Santos has insisted that no player is guaranteed a place in the national team, despite reportedly enjoying the confidence of head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The 32-year-old Zenit St Petersburg left-back was named in Brazil’s squad for the November international fixtures as Ancelotti continues to assess his options and build a competitive team.

Although Santos is believed to be an important part of the Italian coach’s plans, he understands that he must maintain high standards to keep his place.

Speaking to Lance, the former Atletico Mineiro defender described competition within the squad as a positive development, explaining that it pushes players to improve and reach higher levels.

“Competition is part of a national team that has many quality players. I view this in a positive way because it motivates us to evolve and always seek our best level,” he said.

Santos also highlighted the importance of delivering consistent performances for his club and making the most of every opportunity with Brazil. He believes his years playing in Europe have contributed to his development, but he remains focused on getting better.

The defender acknowledged that reputation and experience alone cannot guarantee selection, stressing that players must prove their worth whenever they take to the pitch.

“I believe I am living a moment of maturity in my career, both because of the experience I acquired in European football and because of the opportunities I had representing the national team.

“I know that competition is great and that nobody has a guaranteed spot, so the most important thing is to have regularity, be physically well and demonstrate on the pitch that I can contribute,” he explained.

He also expressed satisfaction with the arrival of younger talents in the squad, noting that senior players have an important role to play in helping the next generation settle into international football.

Brazil are preparing for their November fixtures, with Japan scheduled to provide their first test in Singapore on November 14.

Santos expects a challenging contest, particularly because Japan caused problems for the Selecao during their previous meeting at the World Cup. He believes Brazil will need to remain focused and manage the game effectively throughout if they are to secure a positive result.

The Zenit defender will now look to use the upcoming matches to strengthen his case for a regular place in Ancelotti’s Brazil team.