Ancelotti opens up on Neymar’s World Cup chances
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the reasons behind his decision to include Neymar in the 55-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The Italian coach named Neymar in the squad which is expected to be trimmed to an official 22-man squad on May 22 on Monday.
Neymar has endured a difficult time in the last three years, struggling with injuries and form.
He made his last appearance for Brazil in 2023 against Uruguay when he suffered a serious knee injury.
There have been calls from players, supporters and other stakeholders in Brazil that Neymar should be included in the World Cup squad.
Ancelotti has revealed that Neymar’s fitness has improved and he would not succumb to pressure to include him in the final squad.
He said: “He has improved his fitness a lot in recent matches.
“He has played some very good matches lately. His fitness has improved. He can maintain a high intensity in a match. But there are matches and matches.
“I haven’t been pressured by anyone to call up Neymar. I have complete autonomy. The decision will be 100% professional. I will only take into account how he is performing as a footballer. Nothing else.”
Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer and Ancelotti admitted that he is an important player for the national team.
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He said: “When you have to choose, you have to consider many things.
“Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. But he has had problems and is working hard to recover. He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. It is, obviously, not such an easy decision for me. We have to weigh up the pros and cons carefully.
“I know full well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players.”
The former Real Madrid coach is wary of the reactions that will surround his call-up.
Ancelotti concluded: “This is also a factor, because we have to consider the atmosphere that will surround Neymar’s call-up. It’s not as if I’m going to drop a bombshell in the dressing room. He’s very well-liked, he’s very much loved.
“The internal atmosphere, I don’t think it will affect the team at all. The atmosphere is a very positive, very clean one, and no matter which player is in the squad, it will remain positive and clean right to the end.
“But I can’t control the external atmosphere and what the media says.”
Ancelotti has enjoyed an impressive start to life in charge of the Selecao, winning five, drawing two and losing three matches.
Brazil will slug it out with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Selecao won their last World Cup trophy in 2002 by defeating Germany 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ronaldo De Lima.
