Giovane Elber, a former Brazil international, has strongly criticized Neymar, stating the star does not merit inclusion in the national squad for the 2026 World Cup. Elber contends that Neymar, once a world-class player, has become merely "a marketing machine" due to his career choices and recent form.
Elber, who played for Bayern, asserted that if he were making the selection, he would not call up Neymar. "I apologize, but I would not call him up", the 53-year-old former player said. "Perhaps Neymar will surprise me and play as well as he did a few years ago. But I do not believe that. Neymar was once a world-class player; now, he is just a marketing machine".
The former striker explained that Neymar's career decline began with his decision to leave Barca for PSG in 2017. Elber, who played for Lyon, believes France's Ligue one lacked the competitive edge necessary for a top player to develop and maintain their elite status. "That was a big mistake", he stated. "I understand French football because I played for Lyon. Professionally, this league is too weak. From then on, Neymar's football career went downhill". His subsequent move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in 2023 further disappointed Elber, who described it as "nothing more than a paid vacation".
Neymar's recent struggles with injuries and a lack of match fitness since returning to Santos in early 2025 also raise concerns for Elber. He doubts the forward's ability to reach optimal condition for the World Cup. "Neymar is frequently injured and has lost his rhythm of play for a long time. How can that be effective at the World Cup?", Elber questioned.
Elber believes Neymar's potential inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad does not reflect his current professional form. He suggests that public pressure and demands from Brazilian football officials have left coach Carlo Ancelotti with limited options. "Most fans demand Neymar be called up to the national team. Even the President publicly supports him", Elber added. "The pressure on Ancelotti is growing, and he has almost no other choice".
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Coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks with Neymar after a friendly match between Brazil and Panama at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 31/5. Photo: AP |
Coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks with Neymar after a friendly match between Brazil and Panama at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 31/5. Photo: AP
Despite Brazil's ambition to secure a sixth star at the 2026 World Cup, Elber remains skeptical about their chances of winning, even under Ancelotti's leadership. In an interview with Sport Bild, the former striker, who earned 15 caps for the national team, highlighted Brazil's unconvincing qualifying campaign, which saw three coaching changes. While reaching the quarterfinals is achievable, winning the championship requires many elements to converge quickly, something Brazil has yet to demonstrate. "What offers a glimmer of hope is that under Ancelotti, Brazil is playing more as a collective", Elber conceded.
Elber, a key player in Bayern's 2001 Champions League victory but never a World Cup participant, also criticized Ancelotti for overlooking better-performing club players. He cited Joao Pedro, a Chelsea player who had an impressive season but was not called up. Last season, the 24-year-old forward scored 20 goals in 50 matches for Chelsea.
Hoang An (according to Bild)
