Neymar Is Still in the Coach’s Plans

The former Real Madrid boss made it clear that both the team and he personally still have Neymar in their plans.

“Brazil is counting on him. He returned to Brazil to prepare properly for the World Cup. I spoke with him this morning to explain my decision, and he was completely understanding,” added Ancelotti.

A Frustrating Comeback

After recovering from a serious knee injury that kept him out for over a year during his time with Al-Hilal, the former Barcelona and PSG star has faced recurring fitness issues since rejoining Santos. Since January, he has suffered three different injuries that have hindered his efforts to regain full match fitness.

Neymar was previously called up by former coach Dorival Júnior for matches against Colombia and Argentina, but had to withdraw due to injuries. He was also named in Ancelotti’s preliminary 50-man list and played 60 minutes over his last two matches with Santos, sparking hopes of a return—but was ultimately left out.

Brazil's Crucial Fixtures Ahead

Ancelotti will make his debut as Brazil’s head coach on June 5 against Ecuador in Guayaquil, followed by a home match on June 10 against Paraguay at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo.

Brazil currently sits in fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings with 21 points, trailing leaders Argentina by ten. The top six teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. With Ecuador in second and Paraguay tied on points, the upcoming matches could be decisive for Ancelotti’s new chapter.