Neymar Remains Hopeful for Brazil World Cup Selection

Key Takeaways

Neymar is determined to secure a place in the Brazil World Cup squad.

He expressed disappointment over his absence from recent friendlies.

Brazil's first World Cup match is against Morocco on June 13.

Neymar has 79 international goals , making him Brazil's top scorer.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti believes there is still a chance for Neymar if he stays fit.

Rio de Janeiro, March 17 (NationPress) Neymar remains optimistic about his chances of making it into Brazil's World Cup lineup, despite not being selected for the upcoming friendly matches against France and Croatia later this month.

The forward from Santos returned from injury with an assist during the club's 1-1 draw against Corinthians on Sunday. However, this performance did not convince Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti to reinstate him in the national team, having been absent for nearly two and a half years, as reported by Xinhua.

"I feel it's important to address this matter," the 34-year-old former star of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain expressed to journalists.

"Naturally, I'm disappointed and saddened by my exclusion, but my focus remains steadfast—day by day, training by training, match by match. I believe we can achieve our goal. There will be one last opportunity for selection, and my dream is still alive."

Neymar, who holds the record as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals from 128 international matches, has only played four times for Santos this year after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in December.

His last appearance for Brazil came after a severe injury—a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament—sustained during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, which kept him out of action for over a year.

Earlier on Monday, Ancelotti mentioned in a press conference that Neymar still has a chance to participate in the World Cup set to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, provided he maintains fitness and regular playing time with Santos.

Brazil's World Cup journey will kick off against Morocco on June 13, followed by matches against Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24 in Group C.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

Point of View

Neymar's exclusion from the squad raises questions about team dynamics and individual form. While his disappointment is palpable, the focus on fitness and performance underscores the competitive nature of international football.

NationPress

4 Jul 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What injuries has Neymar faced recently?

Neymar underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in December and has been recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury since October 2023.

When does Brazil's World Cup campaign start?

Brazil's World Cup campaign begins on June 13 against Morocco.

How many goals has Neymar scored for Brazil?

Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international matches.

Who is Brazil's manager?

The current manager of the Brazil national team is Carlo Ancelotti.

What clubs do the Brazilian squad players belong to?

The Brazilian squad features players from top clubs worldwide, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and many others.