<\/p>\n
F<\/span>or many, Neymar<\/strong> is the last great exponent of Joga Bonito<\/em>, and although it has been more than a year since the Brazilian No. 10<\/strong> was anywhere near his best, fans of the verdeamarela<\/strong> and of soccer in general know that a World Cup<\/strong> would not be the same without the magic of Neymar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This 2026 World Cup has a certain tinge of melancholy as it is the last for legends such as Lionel Messi<\/strong> and Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong>, as well as other key players for their national teams such as James Rodriguez<\/strong> or Memo Ochoa<\/strong>. These are players who are likely to be seen wearing their national team colors for the last time, and among them is the possibility of seeing Neymar<\/strong> also, however, the physical condition of the Brazilian idol seems to be his greatest impediment.<\/p>\n Recently, Neymar<\/strong> played his second post-operative match, a match in which he is beginning to be seen with better rhythm, something that is endorsed with numbers, as he was the third Santos player who ran the most distance with more than nine kilometers. Even so, Neymar is far from his best version, and his footballing arguments seem insufficient to be part of the squad of a team as competitive as the Canarinha<\/strong> and the calendar of the Brasileirao<\/strong> does not help either<\/p>\n His constant knee and ankle injuries have not allowed him to play regularly and Carlo Ancelotti<\/strong> has not taken him into account, with his last match with the Brazilian national team in October 2023<\/p>\n Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti<\/strong> never considered immediately calling up the striker for the March friendlies against France<\/strong> and Croatia<\/strong> in the United States<\/strong>. The decision is not a sporting punishment, but a medical and competitive strategy.<\/p>\n The Brazilian Football Confederation<\/strong> is continuing to monitor his progress following the injury and subsequent knee surgery. The aim is for Neymar<\/strong> to gradually regain his rhythm before undergoing the definitive evaluation scheduled for May, when it will be analyzed whether he is in real condition to compete at the highest international level. The priority is not the present, but to be fit for June 2026<\/p>\n Within the coaching staff, they believe that they do not need to check how Neymar<\/strong> would fit into the group. His hierarchy is proven. The only thing that will determine his return will be his physical fitness.<\/p>\n If he manages to reach the expected level, he would play in his fourth World Cup<\/strong> after participating in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022<\/strong>. Otherwise, he could miss out on this last opportunity to wear the verdeamarela<\/em> in an official tournament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat happened to Neymar?<\/h2>\n
Ancelotti’s plan with Neymar ahead of World Cup<\/h2>\n