Brazil national team boss Carlo Ancelotti has justified his stance on Neymar being in his plans for the FIFA World Cup next year. The Santos player has yet to appear for the Selecao since Ancelotti's appointment in June because of his injury problems, mostly.
Former Real Madrid coach Ancelotti was questioned by reporters if the forward stands a chance of getting selected for the World Cup next year. The coach responded in the affirmative, saying clearly that if the 33-year-old is fit and the level of any of his attackers when the squad is picked in May, then he will be invited.
“I understand you guys are very interested in Neymar. I want to clarify. We are in December, World Cup is in June. When I announce the squad in May, if Neymar deserves to go, if he’s well, if he’s better or same as another, he will play the World Cup, period”, he said (via @FabrizioRomano on X).
The star winger has not appeared for Brazil since October 2023, spending two years away from the national team since then. In his last game for Brazil, the former Barcelona player suffered a severe ACL injury that forced him to stay on the sidelines for over a year, and unable to play for Al-Hilal, his then-club.
Brazil's record goalscorer with 79 goals, the forward has played in each of the last three editions of the FIFA World Cup. He appears to have picked up a bit of form as the 2025 season is coming to an end in Brazil, and has scored eight times in 19 league appearances for Santos, who he joined in January.
Neymar makes World cup plea with Santos hat-trick
Brazil icon Neymar has sent out a message to national team boss Carlo Ancelotti with a hat-trick for Santos In the Brasileirão Série A. The star winger scored three goals to help his team defeat Juventude and climb out of the relegation amid their bid to drop this season.
Despite having a meniscus injury, the former Al-Hilal ace scored three goals in the second half against Juventude. He produced his first goal in the 56th minute and his third penalty spot in the 83rd minute prior to his substitution in the 83rd minute of the game.
Neymar will play his final game of the season against Cruzeiro before going through arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured knee afterwards. He will aim to regain full fitness in order to give himself the best chance of playing in the World Cup next summer.