Neymar given World Cup warning by Carlo Ancelotti - but there is hope for the Brazilian star

Martin Macdonald

• 18 Nov 2025 09:01 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar remains in his thoughts when it comes to his 2026 World Cup squad but insists the superstar will need to prove his form and fitness until the summer.

Neymar hasn't played for Brazil since October of 2023 when he suffered a serious knee injury which ultimately led to his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal being terminated.

He subsequently completed an emotional return to Santos, but he is not the hero there he once was and has received criticism for his performances and fitness levels.

Videos emerged in a recent game against Flamengo as he chastised team-mates and reacted furiously to being substituted.

Neymar's World Cup dream is by no means dead, but he'll need to work hard to earn in.

“I thought Neymar was just a topic in Brazil, but I see it's a global issue," the legendary manager told reporters this week.

"Fortunately, he recovered from his injury. Now he has six months to play. The Brazilian Championship stops on December 7, then he can take a vacation, but then he'll have the Brazilian Championship again to show his quality and, obviously, his physical condition.

"Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now he has six months to make the final list. We just have to observe him and other players so as not to make mistakes in the final list.”

O NEYMAR FOI NA ZAGA BUSCAR A BOLA E... DERAM UM CHUTÃO PRA FRENTE! 😳😅 O craque do Santos ficou sem entender nada nessa... #FutebolBrasileiro #BrasileirãoBetano #PósJogo pic.twitter.com/12ZsXWo9PF

— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) November 10, 2025

Neymar won't be playing on the wing for Brazil

If Neymar does travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico with the Brazil squad, it is likely he will feature as a number 10 in a central area, according to Ancelotti.

“I know everyone wants Neymar to get back to his best physical condition," the Italian stated.

"And also the CBF, the coach, the technical staff of the national team hope that Neymar can return to his best level. The truth is that today's football demands many things. Not only talent, but also physical condition, intensity... hopefully Neymar will be at his best level.

“I think he needs to play more centrally, not as a winger, because wingers in today's football are players you need to help defensively as well. When you play a little more centrally, the defensive work is much less than when you play as a winger. And I also think that a very talented player, closer to the goal, has more opportunities to score goals. [False 9] could be his ideal position.”

In this round of international fixtures, Brazil defeated Senegal 2-0 over the weekend and will face Tunisia in a friendly in France on Tuesday.

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