Neymar under the spotlight after remarks from coach Ancelotti following Brazil's World Cup qualification

Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure with Brazil began on a positive note. The coach took charge of the team for the first time during the June international break and came away with a draw against Ecuador and a win over Paraguay — results that clinched Brazil’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After that, Carlo addressed the situation with Neymar.

“I saw Neymar at the hotel and we hugged,” Ancelotti revealed during the post-match press conference following Tuesday night’s 1–0 win over Paraguay in Sao Paulo. The explanation is not a minor one, considering the coach’s decision to leave the forward out of the squad — a move he later justified by stressing the need for Ney to fully recover physically before being considered.

“When he’s healthy, he can play in any position on the field,” Carlo said when asked about Neymar’s potential role within this squad. “Today he could do the same job that (Matheus) Cunha did, as a number 10, and in that position he can be very dangerous.”

Ancelotti then discussed how he set up the team in his first games, pairing Vinicius Junior, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli, and Raphinha in attack. “Against Paraguay, we played with four forwards, but the team remained balanced. It’s not a problem to play with four, three, or two strikers — the important thing is to have ten players who run and make sacrifices,” the coach explained.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti

Finally, Ancelotti commented on two of the most important players who were absent during the June international break due to physical issues. “Rodrygo has done it many times and we know him very well. Neymar can do it too, without any problem,” said Carlo.

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How is Neymar doing right now?

Earlier this year, Neymar Jr. returned to Santos to prioritize his physical and athletic recovery, aiming to reach a level that would allow him to rejoin the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, the first few months haven’t gone quite as planned.

The forward has missed 10 of the 22 matches Santos have played since the transfer was finalized. And it’s not just the volume — Ney has been absent for key games and wasn’t able to help keep the club afloat in the Campeonato Paulista. On top of that, Santos are currently sitting in the relegation zone in the Brazilian league.

Brazil’s upcoming challenges

After clinching a spot in the next World Cup, Brazil still have two remaining matches in the South American qualifiers. They’ll face Chile and Bolivia in September — games that could serve as a testing ground for Carlo Ancelotti.

That stretch could present a good opportunity for Neymar to return to action with Brazil — something that hasn’t happened since his serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. Of course, that would first require the forward to regain solid physical form and consistently perform well with Santos.