The honeymoon at Santos just hit a massive, bone-shaking speed bump. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has officially unveiled his latest squad for the high-stakes friendlies against France and Croatia, and the biggest name is the one that’s missing: Neymar Jr.
If you thought the “Prince of Brazil” had a guaranteed ticket to the 2026 World Cup, think again. Don Carlo isn’t playing games.
“100% or Nothing”
Speaking at CBF headquarters in Rio, the Italian mastermind didn’t hide behind PR-speak. He laid it out straight. Neymar isn’t fit enough. Period
“Neymar can go to the World Cup if he is 100%. Why didn’t I call him now? Because he is not 100%; we need players who are 100%,” Ancelotti told reporters.
It’s a brutal reality check for the 34-year-old. Despite flashes of the old magic back home with Santos—including a full 90 minutes against Corinthians—Ancelotti clearly saw something he didn’t like. Or rather, he didn’t see the explosive mobility required for the international stage.
The gaffer even flew out to watch Neymar in person against Mirassol recently, only for the star to sit out with “muscle fatigue.” That missed audition seems to have been the final straw for this window.
The Door is Ajar (But Only Just)
Is it over for Ney? Not yet. Ancelotti insisted this was a “physical assessment, not a technical one.” We all know Neymar with a ball at his feet is still a wizard. The problem is whether his body can survive the “meat grinder” of a World Cup summer.
The message from the top is clear: Reputation won’t save you. Brazil is moving fast. With young guns like Endrick back in the mix and Vinicius Jr. hitting peak form, the Seleção isn’t the “Neymar-and-ten-others” show anymore.
Neymar has roughly three months to prove he’s not “finished.” He needs to string together games, stay out of the treatment room, and show that the 34-year-old engine still has a turbo-charge left. If not, the iconic No. 10 might be watching the World Cup from the sofa.
