Neymar's ambitions of competing at the forthcoming World Cup have encountered a concerning setback following another injury issue, casting doubt on his participation. On Monday, the 34-year-old forward was included in Brazil's preliminary squad for their upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, scheduled for March 26 and 31, with the official roster set to be unveiled on March 16.
Missed Opportunity for Fitness Assessment
However, the day proved turbulent for the star player, who will be absent from a crucial live audition in front of Brazil's head coach, Carlo Ancelotti. Neymar was withdrawn from Santos' Brazilian Serie A match against Mirassol due to lingering muscle fatigue, preventing Ancelotti from personally evaluating his condition. The Italian manager had planned to travel 268 miles from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paolo specifically to observe Neymar's fitness levels firsthand.
Ancelotti's Strict Selection Criteria
Ancelotti has emphasised that he will only select players who are fully fit and capable of meeting Brazil's rigorous physical demands as the team aims to secure a record-extending sixth World Cup title this summer. Despite Neymar's unavailability, Ancelotti remains committed to attending the match, underscoring his dedication to thorough player assessment.
Santos described Neymar's absence as a precautionary measure, indicating that he is expected to be available for Sunday's home encounter against Corinthians. Nevertheless, Ancelotti will not be present at that game; instead, he will attend Botafogo versus Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, with his assistant coaches delegated to monitor the Santos match.
Neymar's Recent Struggles and Brazil's Alternatives
Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not represented his country since October 2023, when he sustained serious knee ligament injuries that have complicated his comeback efforts. Since returning to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi Arabia in January 2025, he has displayed glimpses of his former brilliance but has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent run of matches.
After the weekend's fixtures, Ancelotti will announce his squad for this month's international period. Brazil's attacking options are robust, featuring several in-form players such as Vinicius Jr, Estevao, Raphinha, Joao Pedro, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Jesus, and Matheus Cunha, providing depth and competition for places.
This latest injury episode raises questions about Neymar's ability to regain peak fitness and secure a spot in the squad, as Brazil prepares for a pivotal summer campaign.
