For months, the biggest question surrounding Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign hasn’t been whether the Seleção can lift a record sixth title. It has been whether the country’s most iconic player would even be along for the ride.
On Monday, fans got their answer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Carlo Ancelotti has officially included Neymar in Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, ending nearly three years of speculation since the No. 10’s career-altering knee injury against Uruguay in 2023.
The decision will raise eyebrows in some quarters given Ancelotti’s well-documented stance on fitness.
The Italian made it clear earlier this year that only players operating at 100 percent would be considered for selection, and Neymar’s absence from March’s friendlies against France and Croatia had many believing his international days were over.
But Ancelotti was careful to leave the door ajar at the time. “If he can reach the next World Cup at 100 percent, he can be at the World Cup. Why is he not on this list now? Because he is not 100%,” the Brazil boss explained, hinting that the door had never truly been closed.
In the weeks that followed, Neymar threw himself into an intensive recovery program, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy aimed at accelerating tissue repair in his troublesome knee.
The results have been encouraging. Back in familiar surroundings at boyhood club Santos, the forward has chipped in with nine goal contributions in 13 appearances since returning to action, enough to convince Ancelotti he is worth a second look.
The job isn’t done yet
While selection in the provisional 55 is a major milestone, the hard part is just beginning. Ancelotti must now trim the squad down to the final 26 names that will travel to North America this summer.
Neymar has already answered the first question. He can still play. Now comes the harder one: can he prove to Ancelotti that he can lead Brazil back to the top of the world?
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