Neymar has been named in Brazil’s FIFA World Cup squad despite doubts on fitness. Neymar recently scored in Santos’ 2-0 win against Bragantino but hasn’t played consistently due to injury concerns. The talismanic striker was recently left out of the Brazil squad for the International friendlies in March when they faced France and Croatia.
The Santos striker has struggled to return to top fitness since he tore his left ACL in October 2023. Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
“He has improved his fitness,” Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro. “He will be an important player in this World Cup.”
The coach added that he wanted players with experience, including Neymar, for some spots in his squad.
“He has experience in this kind of competition, the love of our group; he can create a better environment in this group. We chose Neymar not because we think he’ll be a good substitute. We chose Neymar because we believe he can help the team, whether it’s for one minute, five minutes, 90 minutes or even taking a penalty,” Ancelotti added.
The Italian manager added that it was tough for him to pick 26 players in the squad as Brazil has a lot of talent in the country.
“It was very difficult to choose the 26 players because the competition in this country is so high. Some players who were with us will not be on the list. I am very sorry, and I want to thank them for their effort,” Ancelotti said.
“We believe this is a squad capable of playing quality football for the national team, with an extraordinary collective spirit, attitude, and concentration. I know it is not the perfect list, but the perfect team does not exist.”
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, followed by Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)
