"He needs to maintain this pace; he is heading in the right direction." That's Carlo Ancelotti on Neymar — careful, measured, non-committal. Which, given the circumstances, is probably the right call.
Brazil's head coach told France Football that a World Cup call-up for the 34-year-old is "possible", but conditional on full fitness. Neymar hasn't pulled on the Seleção shirt since October 2023, when he ruptured his knee against Uruguay. That's over 18 months out of international football for a player who, even on his best days in recent years, was operating well below his peak.
Two months to prove it
Since returning to Santos in early 2025, Neymar has started finding the net again — and Ancelotti is watching. "He is being assessed by the Brazilian Football Confederation and by me personally," the Italian said. "I will only call up players who are physically ready."
That last sentence is the one that matters. Ancelotti isn't running a sentiment operation. If Neymar can't hold his fitness between now and the tournament — which runs from 11 June to 19 July — he won't be on the plane, 79 international goals or not.
Casemiro is publicly backing his former teammate, arguing that Neymar's experience and ability still make him an asset for Brazil even now. It's a loyal position, and not an irrational one. But loyalty doesn't win World Cups, and Brazil's squad has enough attacking quality that carrying a half-fit Neymar would be a gamble Ancelotti looks reluctant to take.
The MLS footnote worth watching
He sat out the recent friendlies against France (2-1) and Portugal (3-1), and US media are already reporting preliminary talks between his representatives and MLS side Cincinnati FC over a potential 2027 move. That timeline is telling — it suggests even those closest to him see the World Cup as a last chapter, not a launchpad.
Whether Neymar makes the squad or not, Brazil's attacking odds won't hinge on him the way they once might have. Ancelotti's squad has depth. The question is whether nostalgia — or a genuine late fitness surge — earns Neymar a seat at the table.
He has two months. Ancelotti will be watching every minute of it.
