Ancelotti Delivers Selection Ultimatum to Neymar for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup Campaign

Key Takeaways:

• Carlo Ancelotti has not yet recalled Neymar to the Brazilian national squad since assuming the role of Selecao manager
• Neymar last featured for Brazil in October 2023 before sustaining a knee ligament injury against Uruguay during a World Cup qualifier
• The forward has registered six goals and three assists from 24 appearances this season following his recovery from injury

Ancelotti Keeps Door Open as Neymar Battles for Selection

Carlo Ancelotti has issued an unequivocal warning to Neymar regarding his hopes of making Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, underlining his intention to avoid errors in his team selection. The Italian coach, now leading the Brazil national side, has yet to include the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain talisman in any of his squads but made it clear that the possibility of a recall remains alive.

Neymar, who stands as Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals across 128 caps, has been absent from the national setup since October 2023. His enforced lay-off came after he sustained knee ligament damage during a World Cup qualification match versus Uruguay. Following an extensive rehabilitation period, the 33-year-old attacker saw his contract with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal terminated, allowing him to plot a return to childhood club Santos. However, his ongoing fitness problems have hampered any opportunity to impress Ancelotti and reclaim his international spot.

Status of Neymar’s International Future

Despite recovering from his injury, Neymar was again overlooked when Brazil announced the squad for their upcoming friendly against Tunisia in Lille, France. Persistent questions have followed Ancelotti about the potential inclusion of the iconic No.10, to which he responded: “I thought Neymar was just a topic in Brazil, but I see it’s a global issue. Fortunately, he recovered from his injury. Now he has six months to play. The Brazilian Championship stops on December 7, then he can take a vacation, but then he’ll have the Brazilian Championship again to show his quality and, obviously, his physical condition.”

Ancelotti further elaborated: “Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now he has six months to make the final list. We just have to observe him and other players so as not to make mistakes in the final list.”

Preferred Role and Tactical Considerations

Ancelotti has also weighed in on Neymar’s optimal position, suggesting he would like to see the attacker deployed centrally at Santos. The Brazil manager articulated: “I know everyone wants Neymar to get back to his best physical condition. And also the CBF, the coach, the technical staff of the national team hope that Neymar can return to his best level. The truth is that today’s football demands many things. Not only talent, but also physical condition, intensity… hopefully Neymar will be at his best level.”

He continued: “I think he needs to play more centrally, not as a winger, because wingers in today’s football are players you need to help defensively as well. When you play a little more centrally, the defensive work is much less than when you play as a winger. And I also think that a very talented player, closer to the goal, has more opportunities to score goals. [False 9] could be his ideal position.”

Current Form, Injury Concerns, and Transfer Speculation

Since his return from injury, Neymar has recorded six goals and provided three assists over 24 matches this season, including a key cameo in Santos’ surprise victory against Palmeiras that eased their relegation concerns. Nevertheless, recurring thigh issues have limited his impact, and his long-term future remains uncertain. With his contract drawing closer to expiry, speculation has mounted over a possible reunion at Inter Miami with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, which could see the renowned ‘MSN’ trio reassembled in Major League Soccer when 2026 arrives.