Ancelotti defends controversial Neymar selection for World Cup

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FT Desk

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his controversial decision to include Neymar in his 2026 World Cup squad.

The Selecao headed into the tournament in North America as a nation fancied to go far, but ended up being eliminated at the Round of 16 stage by Norway.

Brazil started the game on top but as time progressed, the Norwegians struck twice through an Erling Haaland double. Neymar was brought on in the second period, which raised eyebrows, though he did score a consolation penalty late on as the South American side lost 2-1.

Before the World Cup, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar hadn't featured for Brazil since October of 2023 when he suffered a serious knee injury. The niggling fitness issues caused by that injury followed him in the following years, and he wasn't in top condition when selected for the 2026 competition.

Many wondered why Ancelotti sought to include him in the squad, though there was some pressure from ex-pros like Romario and Ronaldo to make sure Neymar was on the plane.

The Italian recognises that Neymar didn't make an impact on the tournament, but insists his decision to include him was the correct one.

"I think he didn’t contribute on a technical level as it was hoped he could, because he couldn’t," Ancelotti told ESPN.

"But, in terms of attitude, it was a very positive attitude. I have a lot of affection for him, I thanked him for his attitude, for his behaviour, and I think it was the right decision to include him on the 26-man roster.

"The only thing that bothered me is that Neymar could have prepared himself better during that lead-up period. He could have been ready for game one instead of game four. That was the only disappointing part."

Ancelotti, the most successful manager in the history of the Champions League, believed the controversial hydration breaks played a part in Brazil being eliminated.

He thinks that Brazil were on top when the second-half hydration break happened against Norway and admitted it was his mistake to change approach.

"I think we lost the World Cup during the hydration break against Norway," he explained.

"Why? Because, up until then, the team had been in control..

"That's where my mistake may have been -- thinking the team had lost control of the match when they hadn't. I made a few changes to the team, and then we had the problem with Erling Haaland's goal. And then, in a World Cup, when you concede a goal in the 30th minute [of the second half], it's very difficult to come back from that."

Before the tournament, Ancelotti signed a new contract with Brazil to take them to the 2030 World Cup.

After it concluded, Neymar announced his retirement from international football.