Ancelotti reveals why Neymar earned his Mundial 2026 recall

La convocatoria of Neymar for the Mundial 2026 was one of the most debated decisions in Brasil. After almost three years away from the Canarinha shirt because of injuries, Carlo Ancelotti chose to back the Santos forward and has now explained the factors that drove the selection.

During that three‑year absence, Neymar missed every competitive appearance for Brasil due to recurring injuries. Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian strategist, decided to gamble on the Santos striker despite the long lay‑off, believing his talent could still benefit the national side.

The Italian coach said the change in the attacker’s physical condition was decisive. He added that the technical staff monitored Neymar’s progress for several months, waiting for clear signs of recovery before making a call‑up.

“Decidí convocarlo en el momento en que comenzó a jugar con regularidad en el campeonato brasileño. Después de la fecha FIFA de marzo jugó con continuidad y en buen nivel,” Ancelotti explained, noting that regular minutes after the March FIFA window convinced him of Neymar’s readiness.

Ancelotti also acknowledged the massive popular backing Neymar enjoys, saying he felt “the clamor of the people for the call‑up in the stadiums, airports, restaurants…”. Yet he stressed, “but I didn’t call him because of pressure”, emphasizing that public sentiment was not the primary driver.

Beyond the sporting aspect, the coach highlighted that Neymar could contribute far more than minutes on the pitch. “Es un jugador con calidad, talento, experiencia y puede ayudar al equipo a mejorar la calidad del juego,” he said, pointing to the striker’s experience, leadership and technical skill. The discussion echoed broader debates, even touching on recent VAR controversies.

Durante el Mundial, Neymar featured after a long rehabilitation and took part in Brasil’s round‑of‑16 exit against Norway. The tournament showed he could still perform at the highest level when called upon.

After the match, Ancelotti remarked that Neymar was physically capable of playing a full 90 minutes, but he respected the tactical choices made by the coaching staff during the competition.

Following Brazil’s early elimination, Neymar put an end to all speculation, confirming he will not return to the national team. He closed a 16‑year international career in which he became Brasil’s all‑time top scorer with 80 goals in 130 matches. TE