After days of speculation, Carlo Ancelotti finally revealed that Neymar will not play in Brazil’s friendly matches against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31, respectively. This surprised not only the fans but also the 34-year-old player himself.
His absence from the final FIFA window before the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada raises doubts about his participation in the tournament, which he has confirmed will be the last of his career.
Ney confirms the inevitable
In a video he shared on his official YouTube channel, the Brazilian posted a clip showing him receiving a massage while watching the coach’s press conference on his phone. When Carletto finished naming his players without mentioning Ney among the call-ups, the Santos star jokingly asked: “Hey Ancelotti, what about me!?”
Obviously, he also showed his sadness and frustration at knowing that his absence from the national team will continue, as he hasn’t played for the Canarinha since October 17, 2023.
However, earlier in the same video blog, the player had stated a truth his fans didn’t want to hear: “Obviously, it’s my last World Cup,” Neymar said.
“I don’t know if it’s my last year on the national team, but it’s coming to an end and we have to accept that. I always tell my family and friends: ‘Enjoy it as much as you can, keep watching the games because it will end,’” he added.
Furthermore, in the same clip, the Brazilian star denied the rumors and explained that the muscle strain he suffered before the Mirassol match was not a serious injury and that it is something that happens frequently in the world of soccer. He also assured that the difference in his desire to recover does not lie in whether he wears the colors of Santos or Brazil, but rather that he will always do everything in his power to continue playing the sport he loves.
“I can help the National Team in any way. I know the qualities I have, the power I have on the field, and I know I can contribute to the team,” Ney said confidently.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, his coach did not rule out counting on him: “If he arrives at the next World Cup at 100%, he can participate. Why isn’t he on this list now? Because he’s not 100%… the final list will be different. Neymar has to keep working and playing, demonstrating his quality while in good physical condition. It’s a physical assessment, not a technical one,” Ancelotti stated.
Meanwhile, we’ll have to wait to find out if Neymar will finally return to play for Brazil’s national team in their last World Cup.
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