Seleção coach insists the country’s highest goalscorer must prove he is fit and ready to play
Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar still has a chance to prove his fitness if he is to be included in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward was not selected for Brazil’s recent friendlies against France and Croatia, but Ancelotti confirmed he remains under consideration. Neymar has not featured for the national team since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023.
“He’s currently being evaluated by the CBF [Brazilian Football Confederation] and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar has struggled with injuries since returning from the ligament rupture and missed the first 10 matches of the current season for Santos following knee surgery in December. However, he has recently returned to action, scoring three goals in four league appearances.
“I’m going to call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti said. “After his knee injury [in December], Neymar has come back well; he’s scoring goals. He needs to continue in this direction and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”
In Neymar’s absence, Ancelotti selected a forward group that included Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha and Vinicius Junior for the March international window.
Neymar admitted his disappointment at missing out but insisted his focus remains on returning to the squad.
“Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected,” Neymar, who fought a knee injury to help Santos survive a relegation battle last season, said. “But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on.”
