“Now the good part begins.” With these words, Brazil’s coach, the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, kicked off the announcement of the forwards called up to play in the World Cup this Monday afternoon. He had already read the names of the goalkeepers, defenders, and midfield players. And among those he mentioned then was the other man of the day in Brazil: Neymar Júnior. The Santos player, at 34 years old, is fulfilling his dream and will play in his fourth World Cup despite the multiple injuries that have hampered his career in recent times. Neymar, who has not played with the Canarinha for more than two years, is one of Brazil’s most emblematic players.
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The anticipation was at its peak. Brazil had been immersed for weeks in the debate about Neymar’s participation, the number 10 of Santos, in this World Cup being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Vinicius Júnior from Real Madrid, Raphinha from Barcelona, and Endrick, who plays on loan at Olympique Lyon, will also travel. Brazil, aiming to win its sixth world championship, will face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in the first phase.
Brazilian football has turned the presentation of the 26 selected players into a huge show, broadcast live and held at the Museu da Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro. Most of the 26 selected players develop their professional careers outside their country. Among those who play at home, Flamengo has the most players called up.
Ancelotti explained that “it is not the perfect list because the perfect team does not exist,” but emphasized that he is working so that “Brazil is the most resilient team.” He believes that the dream of winning a sixth World Cup is achievable. And, along those lines, he highlighted that the high expectations of Brazilian fans are essential because “they motivate the players.”
The coach, who has just renewed his contract for four more years, joked about all the advice he has received over the past months from journalists, players, retired footballers… and even a pilot who was flying him. “The technical committee has worked very seriously. I have all the information to make the list with fewer mistakes,” he said.
Ancelotti highlighted, in a press conference after the event, Neymar’s experience in other World Cups and his influence on his teammates. “He will be an important player in this World Cup. He will have the same obligations as the other 25. He may play or may not, he may be on the bench and come on…,” said the coach, according to Efe.
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As Tostão wrote this Monday, who played in the 1966 and 1970 World Cups, “there is a polarization, a technical tie between those who want to see him in the Cup and those who do not.” The former footballer pointed out that the main argument to defend his absence from the Cup to be held in North America was that neither Neymar nor the public accept him as a secondary figure; on the opposite side are those who argue that, even if he plays a few minutes, he has the talent to decide matches.
Brazil, aiming to break its own record and win its sixth world championship, will face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in the first phase. This fourth World Cup will probably be one of the last international tournaments of Neymar’s career.
The Brazilian returned in January 2025 to his homeland and to Santos after an international career that took him to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. His declared goal was to prepare for the American World Cup, but since then his performance has been very irregular.
“Physically, I feel very good, I have been improving with each game,” he said on Sunday, after the last match before the announcement, a Santos-Coritiba game that ended in defeat for the former. Ancelotti had warned that the presence or absence of the Santos player in the World Cup would depend exclusively on his physical condition. “I have done everything in my power, it has not been easy,” the player confessed before pointing out that “whatever happens, Ancelotti will undoubtedly call up the 26 best for this battle.”
Neymar has not played with the Canarinha since 2023 due to injuries and because he had to undergo knee surgery. In October of that year, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and menisci of his left leg in a match against Uruguay.
