As Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti prepares to unveil his final 26-man World Cup squad this Monday, one question has dominated the national conversation: does Neymar still belong on football’s biggest stage?
The 34-year-old Santos forward, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 international goals, has not worn the famous yellow shirt since suffering a devastating ACL injury against Uruguay in October 2023 . Now, after nearly three years away, he faces an anxious wait to learn whether his name appears on Ancelotti’s list for what would be his fourth World Cup.
When a reporter put the question to him directly—”Do you deserve to be called up?”—Neymar refused to campaign for himself.
“I can’t answer your question,” he said, according to sources close to the player . “Ancelotti will decide if I deserve it or not. I worked hard for this. If I’m not called up, I’ll be one more fan cheering for Brazil at the World Cup.”
The response marked a notable shift in tone from the forward who has often worn his emotions on his sleeve. Rather than defiance or demands, Neymar offered humility—and a quiet acknowledgment that his fate rests in someone else’s hands .
His words carried echoes of an earlier interview in March, following a disappointing performance in the Classico Paulista, when he admitted with palpable frustration: “I want to return to the national team and play in the World Cup, but that doesn’t depend on me. Whether I’m there or not, I will always cheer for Brazil” .
The manager’s dilemma
For Ancelotti, the decision has become one of the most scrutinised of his decorated career. The Italian coach, who has won league titles in all of Europe’s top five divisions and a record five Champions League trophies, faces competing pressures: the emotional pull of Brazil’s most iconic active player versus the cold demands of a high-intensity tournament.
“It is not such an easy decision for me,” Ancelotti told Reuters recently. “We have to weigh up the pros and cons carefully” .
The manager has been unequivocal about one thing: sentiment will not dictate his choice. “The decision will be 100% professional,” he insisted. “I will only take into account how he is performing as a footballer. Nothing else. I haven’t been pressured by anyone to call up Neymar. I have complete autonomy” .
Neymar’s recent form has offered grounds for optimism. Since returning to Santos, he has recorded six goals and three assists in 13 matches . Ancelotti has acknowledged the improvement: “He has greatly improved his physical condition in recent matches. He can maintain a high intensity during a match” .
But the manager remains cautious. “There are matches and matches,” he added, suggesting that domestic form does not automatically translate to World Cup readiness .
The dressing room factor
Where fans remain divided, Neymar’s teammates appear united. Several players have publicly lobbied for his inclusion, a dynamic Ancelotti says he cannot ignore.
“I know perfectly well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players,” the coach explained. “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 coach has made clear that the internal atmosphere will remain stable regardless of the outcome. “The internal environment is under control and will remain so until the end, with or without Neymar,” he said .
Injury opens the door
External circumstances may have shifted the calculation in Neymar’s favour. A serious hamstring injury to Estevao, who had become a trusted starter under Ancelotti, has created a vacancy in Brazil’s attacking options .
The timing is striking. Just as Neymar has worked his way back to fitness, the path has cleared. He was included on Brazil’s 55-man preliminary roster—a significant sign that the door remains open .
The final countdown
For now, Neymar waits. The forward has not been called up since that October night in Montevideo when his knee gave way. Almost three years later, he has done what he can: returned to his boyhood club, rebuilt his body, and tried to recapture the brilliance that once made him the world’s most expensive player.
Whether that proves sufficient will be decided on Monday.
“Can I draw up a perfect squad? Impossible,” Ancelotti admitted. “But I can draw up a squad with fewer mistakes than others who might do so. Of that I am certain” .
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Brazil will learn their fate on Monday—and so will Neymar.
