After saving Santos from relegation while playing through a meniscus tear, Neymar ended last season with 6 goal contributions in the last 2 months, including a hattrick against Juventude. He also displayed extraordinary leadership and exuberant passion for his Boyhood club during this stint. However, Neymar will not be playing in the upcoming friendlies for Brazil.
This is perplexing as these upcoming friendlies basically determine the squad for their world cup campaign, and yet despite the statistics, Ancelotti opted to leave Neymar due to supposed concerns of recent ACL injuries. What is Carlo Ancelotti’s gameplan with Brazil, Neymar, and the World Cup?
Despite injuries, Neymar has started the season for Santos with 2 goals and 2 assists across all competitions.
But Ancelotti surely had noticed Neymar’s questionable fitness when he was dropped vs Mirassol and substituted at half time vs. Velo Clube SP due to Muscle fatigue.
During the call up press conference, the obvious questions about Neymar were served to Ancelotti. He said as quote:
“Neymar can be in the World Cup if he’s at 100%. Why haven’t I called him up now? Because he’s not at 100%, we need players who are at 100%.”
Although this leaves hope for Neymar, who most likely will give every effort he has to represent Brazil at USA 2026, what exactly does Ancelotti require out of the 34 year old?
Firstly, Neymar hasn’t capped for Brazil since October 17, 2023. Where he was injured with the same meniscus tear on the left knee he has issues with today.
What Neymar would instantly provide is a passionate locker room leader. Most of the called up Brazilian players are around or below the age of 27. Recent performances question the players’ sense of pride not being displayed on the pitch, and they need guidance and direction from not just their newly appointed manager, but a veteran player on the field leading with his playstyle.
However, Ancelotti is also perhaps concerned that Neymar’s might have a veteran’s ego, and as Ancelotti is eyeing up a sleuth of younger talent, perhaps it is a reasonable concern as to not affect team chemistry, which is crucial in a World Cup year.
But Neymar has also helped Santos avoid relegation whenever he has been available to play. Averaging 0.6 goals per game, he has played in an Attacking midfield/Centre Forward role.
The main question would be, who is Neymar fighting a spot for in the World Cup? Immediately Raphinha, Vinicius Jr., Joao Pedro, Andrey Sanchez seem safe from possible replacement, as Ancelotti has guaranteed that those players will be in the USA if not for injuries.
Rayan, Bournemouth’s recent winter signing, seems to be the one who’s taken Neymar’s spot for the upcoming friendlies. Rayan has never made an international cap for his country, and is set to do so in the friendlies. Like Neymar, Rayan wasn’t given opportunities in this CONMEBOL qualifier, so how he performs in training and in these friendlies for the national team is crucial for Neymar’s World Cup chances.
Matheus Cunha is also on ice. Since his Santos move Neymar has played in an attacking midfield role, similar to Cunha’s at United. Cunha hasn’t put up great numbers for United and has a sole goal for his National team since 2021.
Endrick ever since his loan move to Lyon has been in form. The 18 year old has had 10 goal involvements in 11 games. The upcoming friendly fixtures will perhaps set him apart as his performances are likely to be part of this form.
The other options beside Neymar include Richarlison, with a struggling season for Tottenham, has not had his World Cup ticket confirmed yet. Alongside is Lucas Paqueta, who was also left out of the Brazil squad.
Martinelli has surprisingly not been confirmed for the World cup yet according to Ancelotti, but it seems imminent as he has led Arsenal’s attack to being top of the premier league at this point in time. Same goes for Igor Thiago, a 20 G+A season so far with Brentford, but he will get to prove himself in the upcoming friendlies with his first international caps.
These are the recent goal contributions from each Brazilian forward called up for the friendlies in comparison to Neymar based on their last 8 appearances.
Although the Brazilian league is seen as an inferior competition to European Leagues nowadays, these statistics still are of decent stature for a 34 year old. It depends on what Ancelotti will consider 100%, as Neymar’s commitment has been called into question as of late, participating in Counter Strike and Rocket League tournaments, King’s League appearances etc.
Neymar has since responded to the call up announcement.
“I’m upset, sad about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after game”.
“We’re going to achieve our goal. There’s still one final call-up left and the dream lives on, That’s it, we’re in this together”
This was a tense development for Neymar’s bid to this World cup, but the statement from Ancelotti is clear. If he deems Neymar to be fully fit in June-July, Brazil’s all time top scorer can add to his legacy and lead his teammates to glory for a 6th World Cup for Verde-Amerela.
