Neymar has been named in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup, ending doubts over whether the Santos forward would make the final 26-man list.
The 34-year-old had faced uncertainty because of injury problems and a long absence from international football. Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, but Ancelotti has decided to include him after seeing signs of improved fitness and consistency.
Speaking after the squad announcement on Monday, the Brazil boss explained why Neymar remains part of his plans.
“Neymar will be an important player for us at the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. “We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition.”
Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil and remains one of the country’s most influential attacking players. This will be his fourth World Cup after featuring in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Neymar gets another chance on world stage
Neymar’s World Cup story has been filled with both brilliance and frustration.
In 2014, he helped Brazil reach the semi-finals on home soil, but his tournament ended in the quarter-final win over Colombia when he suffered a back injury. Without him, Brazil were beaten 7-1 by Germany in one of the most painful defeats in the nation’s history.
In 2018, Brazil were knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals. Four years later, they suffered another quarter-final exit, losing to Croatia on penalties.
Player profile
NeymarNow, Ancelotti has handed Neymar another opportunity to chase the one trophy that has always escaped him.
Brazil squad packed with Premier League talent
Neymar is joined in the squad by several Premier League stars, including Alisson, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, Rayan, Igor Thiago, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, there was disappointment for Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, who was left out of the final group. He reacted on Instagram by saying that although he was unable to fulfil his dream of representing Brazil at a World Cup, he remains calm and focused.
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. They will also face Haiti and Scotland in the group stage as they attempt to win the tournament for the first time since 2002.
For Neymar, the challenge is clear. After years of injury setbacks and World Cup heartbreak, he now has another chance to prove Ancelotti’s faith was justified.
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