Neymar can force himself into Brazil’s World Cup squad despite March omission - Carlo Ancelotti
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar has two months to prove his fitness and force himself into the 2026 World Cup squad.Ancelotti says the Santos forward remains in contention to make the tournament despite not selecting him for March’s friendlies against France and Croatia.Neymar, 34, is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances but has not featured for the national side since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in October 2023.“He’s currently being evaluated by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), by me, and he still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said in an interview with L’Equipe.Neymar has continued to contend with injury problems since returning from his ACL rupture and missed the opening 10 matches of the campaign following arthroscopy surgery on his left knee in December.He has scored three times in four league appearances this season, and Ancelotti said the forward was capable of returning to full fitness and form.“I’m going to call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti added. “After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has come back well; he’s scoring goals. He needs to continue in this direction and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior and Joao Pedro were the forwards selected by Ancelotti for March’s international window.Neymar admitted he was disappointed to not make the squad but reiterated his desire to be at the World Cup.“Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected,” Neymar said during a broadcast of Kings League Brazil, via ESPN Brazil. “But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on.”
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