Neymar told media at an event in Sao Paulo he was ‘upset and sad’ for not being picked by Carlo Ancelotti for the two friendlies against France and Croatia.
Neymar has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to a knee injury and muscle fatigue prior to the squad announcement. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, but his recent struggles to maintain consistent match fitness have raised concerns.
Carlo Ancelotti stated, “Neymar is not at 100 percent and therefore he is not on the list.” This decision comes as Brazil prepares for their World Cup campaign, which begins against Morocco on June 13.
In Neymar’s absence, Endrick has been called up to the Brazil squad for the first time since Ancelotti took over. Endrick has shown promise, scoring 6 goals in 12 appearances.
Brazil’s matches against France and Croatia are scheduled for March 26 and March 31, respectively. Ancelotti emphasized the importance of arriving at the World Cup in optimal condition, stating, “We are preparing well for this World Cup. We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically and mentally.”
Neymar’s last match was a 1-1 draw with Corinthians, where he played for 90 minutes. Ancelotti mentioned that Neymar needs to keep working and playing to be considered for the World Cup roster, which will be finalized on March 18.
As Brazil’s squad includes players from top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Barcelona, the team looks to build cohesion ahead of the tournament.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Neymar’s recovery timeline, but his exclusion from the friendlies raises questions about his fitness for the World Cup.