International News Desk:
Who is Brazil’s most important player in the 2026 World Cup?
Certainly Neymar. But due to fitness issues, this 33-year-old forward is currently out of the national team. Before the World Cup starts, Brazil’s supporters are counting the days in hopes of Neymar’s return to the national team. To achieve that, Santos’ star has been told what he needs to do by Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti. This Italian coach believes Neymar can be an important player for Brazil in the upcoming World Cup. For that, he must return to the national team first. And to return to the national team, Neymar has to prove that his ‘physical condition is good.’
Neymar last played for Brazil on October 18, 2023, in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. In that match, he sustained a severe ACL injury to his knee. Everyone expected him to return to the national team for Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match last June. However, he didn’t return then due to not recovering from the injury he suffered. Many were also waiting for Neymar’s return in the September World Cup qualifiers. But again, Neymar got injured during training at Santos before Ancelotti announced the Brazil squad. As a result, the wait for his return to the national team has increased even more.
In September, Neymar stirred up a bit of controversy by speaking about the reason for his exclusion from Ancelotti’s squad for Brazil’s last two matches in the World Cup qualifiers. This star, who won the Champions League with Barcelona, had said to the media after his exclusion, ‘The reason for my exclusion was purely strategic (technical). It has nothing to do with my physical condition. It is the coach’s decision, and I respect that.’
But Ancelotti said that it is not talent, but Neymar’s fitness that will determine whether he has a place in the national team.
This time, in a conversation with ESPN Brazil journalist Pedro Aldeida, Ancelotti spoke more openly about Neymar, saying, ‘We will definitely not see how Neymar plays because everyone knows about his talent. To make the best use of his talent in modern football, he needs to be in good physical condition. If he is in top physical shape, I see no problem with him coming to the national team.’
Ancelotti also said, ‘Everyone wants to see Neymar in good physical condition in the national team. I have spoken with him. I told him, “You have time to prepare yourself to help the team and give your best in the World Cup.”’
Neymar has previously played in a wide and central role in the national team’s attack. However, Ancelotti’s argument is that playing as a wide forward requires physical ability, which Neymar currently lacks. ‘Before the match against Paraguay (in June), he came to the hotel. We discussed this at that time. Everything is clear now and the plan hasn’t changed. I will play him as an attacking midfielder or a striker, he needs to play as a central figure. He cannot play out wide; because, modern football requires physically capable forwards. This is important. He can play as an attacking midfielder without any problems.’
Brazil has finished fifth in the World Cup qualifiers from the South American continent. Under Ancelotti, who took over the responsibility of Brazil in June on a one-year contract, Brazil secured a ticket to play in the 2026 World Cup in the same month. Ancelotti has expressed that if given the opportunity, he would like to remain as the national team coach even after the 2026 World Cup, saying, ‘Preparing Brazil for the World Cup is a special matter. I have made a one-year contract. In my view, it was the right decision to sign a one-year contract then. I have no problem if CBF wants to continue after the World Cup.’
It was clear from his words that Ancelotti is having a good time as Brazil’s coach, ‘As I said, I am very happy here (in Brazil). My family is also happy. There is an opportunity to think and talk about (continuing to be the coach after the World Cup). I have no problem continuing. (Staying until 2030) would be good.’
