Carlo Ancelotti has left Neymar Jr. out of his latest squad, citing serious concerns over the star’s physical condition and chances of making the 2026 World Cup roster.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti delivered a brutally honest assessment of Neymar’s international prospects this week after omitting the star forward from the national team’s November roster for friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia.
According to SI.com reporting, Ancelotti omitted Neymar Jr. from his Brazil national team November roster and casted major doubt over the player’s chances of making La Seleçao’s 2026 FIFA World Cup roster.
The decision prompted reporters to ask about the omission of Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, who has not featured for the national side in over two years and has struggled significantly with recurring injuries. Ancelotti did not mince words regarding the criteria for selection.
“I haven’t talked to Neymar,” Ancelotti revealed. “We’ll see when he can recover and start playing again.”
The Italian coach then provided a stark ultimatum for the former Barcelona star’s potential return: “I’m not taking a player that lacks intensity to play the whole World Cup, no chance. We need players that are at a top physical level.”
Neymar’s recent history underscores the manager’s caution. Injuries have limited him to less than 25 games over the past three seasons.
While he recently made a 29-minute appearance for Santos, the manager’s comments make it clear that regaining peak fitness and intensity is imperative if the 33-year-old hopes to participate in his fourth FIFA World Cup campaign in 2026.