OFFICIAL: Neymar receives extremely sad news from Ancelotti's Brazil national team

The decision to remove Neymar from the latest call-up list by coach Carlo Ancelotti has shocked public opinion, raising a major question about the future of the Samba superstar.

During the crucial final international training camp before announcing the official roster for the 2026 World Cup, coach Carlo Ancelotti created a major shock by deciding to exclude Neymar from the Brazil squad participating in friendly matches against France and Croatia. This is seen as a firm message from the Italian strategist about prioritizing effectiveness and a robust physical foundation over relying on symbolic names from the past.

Since returning to wear the jersey of his childhood club Santos, Neymar has tirelessly strived to rediscover his true self. However, the specter of the knee injury from October 2023 still persistently lingers, causing the form of the 34-year-old forward to no longer maintain stability.

At the press conference announcing the roster, coach Ancelotti candidly shared: “Neymar has not reached 100% form, and therefore he is not on the list. Neymar has not reached 100% of his capabilities.”

While not completely shutting the door on participating in the planet's biggest football festival in North America, he still issued a heavily weighted warning: “If he can achieve 100% physical condition, he can definitely be involved. Neymar needs to continue training, playing, demonstrating his qualities, and maintaining good physical shape.”

While Neymar is absent, the Brazil national team still possesses many quality attacking options. Names like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Gabriel Martinelli continue to hold important roles in the forward line.

Additionally, Ancelotti also gave opportunities to some young players performing impressively in Europe, such as Igor Thiago, Endrick, or Matheus Cunha. This indicates that Brazil is aiming for a combination of experience and youthfulness in their World Cup preparation process.

The 2026 World Cup will be Carlo Ancelotti's first major tournament as head coach of the Brazil national team. Therefore, the Italian tactician wants to select players who are in the best physical condition and form.

For Neymar, the next 3 months will be a "critical" period for him to prove himself to the seasoned Italian strategist. If he cannot regain peak physical condition, the scenario of Brazil's all-time top scorer watching the World Cup on a small screen is entirely possible.