Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti said that the physical state of Neymar will be crucial for his admission to the national team for next year’s World Cup, after the omission of the 33-year-old attacker of recent qualifications.
Ancelotti left Neymar from his 23-man team for the World Cup qualifications against Chile and Bolivia, referring to a small piers muscle injury. Neymar, however, later said that his exclusion was for technical reasons.
Since October 2023, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player has not attracted the famous yellow jersey when he sustained serious knee ligament injuries that hit his comeback attempts.
«Of course we are not going to observe how Neymar plays. Everyone knows his talent,» Ancelotti told ESPN Brasil on Friday.
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“In modern football, to take advantage of his talent, the player must be in good physical condition. If he is in his best physical state, he will not have any problems to be in the national team.
«Everyone wants Neymar in the national team in good physical condition. I spoke with him and I said:» You have time to prepare for the best way to be there and help the team to do their best in the World Cup. «
Neymar has shown sparkling flashes since he returned to his boys’ club, Santos, from Saudi side Al-Hilal.
However, his struggles were exposed last month when he left the field in tears after the crushing 6-0 defeat of Santos by Vasco da Gama.
Ancelotti said he sees Neymar playing centrally, either as an attacking midfielder or striker.
«I spoke with him … everything is clear, the idea remains the same,» said Ancelotti.
«He cannot play on the outside because modern football ahead needs that have physical quality; it is very important. He can play as an attacking midfielder without any problems.»
Brazil, which has already qualified for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, will then be in action when it is in a friendly competition in Seoul on 10 October.
Published on September 13, 2025
