Brazil’s national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has publicly emphasized the critical role Neymar plays in his plans for the 2026 World Cup, urging the veteran forward to prioritize his preparation for the tournament.
In an interview with the South American football federation on Thursday, Ancelotti stated, “He’s a very important player for us regarding the World Cup.” The Italian tactician added, “He must prepare well, and he has the time to do that,” highlighting the need for Neymar to be in peak condition.
Neymar, now 33, recently extended his contract with Brazilian club Santos until the end of the current year. However, his career has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries, limiting him to just 12 appearances and three goals for Santos over the past five months.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, Neymar was notably absent from Ancelotti’s initial squad selection at the end of May. Despite his absence, the five-time world champions secured their qualification for next year’s World Cup earlier this month with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay. The coach’s remarks underscore the expectation for Neymar to overcome his injury woes and be a central figure in Brazil’s quest for a sixth World Cup title.
