Neymar Jr faces what could be the final chapter in his long and complicated relationship with the national team. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the squad for Brazil's last two friendlies before the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches against France and Croatia in the United States, and Neymar’s name was not in it.
Neymar, the Santos star, has now reacted to the snub that the decision made him “upset” and still dreams of making it in the squad despite being left out. The former FC Barcelona player is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals.
Neymar ‘upset’ after Brazilian left out of FIFA World Cup squad by Carlo Ancelotti
During a live broadcast of a Kings League Brazil game on Monday evening, Neymar said:
"I'm going to speak out here, because I can't just let this pass.”
The 34-year-old added:
"Obviously I'm upset and sad not to have been selected. But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match.”
Neymar continued by saying that he still believes ahead of the final squad announcement. The football icon has not played for the national side since October 2023. It came after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee.