The head coach of the Brazilian National Team has not yet called up Santos’ number 10 player since assuming his role.
The exclusion of Neymar from the Brazilian National Team in the most recent squad announcement, which precedes the final list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, raised eyebrows. Coach Carlo Ancelotti decided not to select Santos’ number 10 for the friendly matches against France and Croatia, scheduled for March 26 and 31, respectively.
According to the Italian coach, this decision is directly tied to the player’s physical condition. Despite this, he emphasized that Neymar remains part of the plans for the World Cup, provided that he regains optimal fitness in the coming months.
— Neymar could be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness for the World Cup, he could be included. Why didn’t I call him up for this squad? Because he is not at 100%, and I need players who are fully fit. However, as I mentioned, the final list is a different matter. Neymar must keep working hard, playing, showing his qualities, and proving he is in excellent physical condition, said Ancelotti.
— This is a physical evaluation. It is not a technical evaluation. Neymar is performing excellently with the ball. However, from the perspective of the coaching staff and myself, he is not yet at 100% of his full potential. He needs to work towards reaching that 100%. This is my opinion and the consensus of the coaching staff, observing and continuing to monitor his matches in the upcoming months.
Not too long ago, members of the Brazilian National Team coaching staff attended the clash between Santos and Corinthians, held at Vila Belmiro. On this occasion, assistants such as Mino Fulco, Francesco Mauri, and goalkeeping coach Cláudio Taffarel carefully observed the performance of the number 10.
Despite the anticipation, Neymar delivered a subdued performance. The player attempted three shots, two from free kicks and one with a header, but none of these resulted in a goal.