"I will speak out because I cannot remain silent," Neymar told MadHouseTV. "I am clearly very sad and disappointed not to be called up. However, my goal remains unchanged. Day by day, training session by training session, match by match, we will achieve our goal."
According to the squad list Ancelotti recently announced, Neymar is absent once again. The Italian coach has not called up the national team's all-time leading scorer since he took charge in 6/2025.
Ancelotti explained that Neymar has not regained his best form and physical condition. In contrast, other players are fully fit and more deserving of a call-up. However, he indicated that the 34-year-old forward would have another opportunity for the final squad selection in 5/2026. "He must continue to train and play to achieve his best physical condition," Ancelotti stated. "The squad is selected from fully healthy players. We want to play two important upcoming matches with high intensity."
The Brazil national team is preparing for friendlies against France on 26/3 and Croatia on 31/3. Following these, Ancelotti's team will play friendlies against Panama on 31/5 and Egypt on 6/6 before the World Cup later that month.
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Neymar disappointed in Santos' 0-6 loss to Vasco Da Gama in the 2025 season. Photo: Reuters
Neymar last wore the Brazil jersey in 10/2023. He then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee, sidelining him for over a year. His return to play has been challenging. Neymar has sustained additional injuries, scoring only 13 goals in 32 matches for Santos. This output is significantly lower than his previous records of 118 goals in 173 matches for PSG and 105 goals in 186 matches for Barca.
Neymar currently holds the scoring record for the Brazil national team with 79 goals, surpassing Pele by two goals. However, his average goal-per-game ratio places him sixth with 0,62 goals per match, behind Pele (0,84), Ademir (0,82), Romario (0,79), Zico (0,68), and Ronaldo De Lima (0,63).
Neymar has yet to win a major title with the national team; his best performances include reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the final of the 2021 Copa America. Brazil won the 2019 Copa America, but Neymar missed the tournament due to injury.
Thanh Quy (according to MadHouseTV)
