The possibility of seeing Neymar again with the Brazil team in a World Cup gained strength after Carlo Ancelotti included him among the 55 footballers who overcame the pri mer cut heading to the World 2026. The Santos forward returns to enter the Canarinha panorama after almost three years without playing an official match with the national team.

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Although the Brazilian federation has not yet officially released the prelist, different media in the country confirmed the presence of the attacker, whose yes physical condition had generated doubts during the last months. Ancelotti himself had conditioned any return to a full recovery.

“If he gets back to 100%, something of which he is fully capable, he will be able to play for the National Team“, the Italy coach previously noted no, who also remarked that the footballer had to “demonstrate that he has the physical condition necessary to play in the next World Cup”.

Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 17, 2023, when he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture during a match of e qualifiers against Uruguay. Since that injury, four coaches have passed by the Brazilian bench without calling him up again.

The forward tries to recover continuity in Santos and, in the current season, he played 13 commitments between Brasileirao, Torneo Paulista, Copa Sudamericana and Copa de Brazil. In that period he scored six goals and handed two assists.

Ancelotti analyzes names and leaves out several figures

The making of the definitive list still maintains several debates within Brazil. Ancelotti should announce a the final calls on next Monday May 18, a few days before the preparation friendlies against Panama and Egypt.

Among the most commented absences appear Rodrygo and Éder Militão, both footballers for Real Madrid. Estêvão, 18 year attacker linked to Chelsea,was also left out.

Another of the names that began to gain space is Pedro, forward for Flamengo. The attacker has 16 goals and four so presences in 29 games, performance that placed him in the discussion despite not having debuted yet with the absolute team.

The competition also moved to the midfield. According to reports from Brazilian media, Andrey Santos wouldn't have guaranteed a place and would be behind players c like Casemiro, Fabinho, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paquetá and Danilo dos Santos. The number of midfielders that Ancelotti decides to call will end up being determining.

In attack the option of Rayan, a Bournemouth footballer, also arose. The forward accumulated five goals and two assists in 13 games os since his arrival and appears as an alternative to occupy the right wing due to Estêvão's physical doubts and the absence of Rodrygo.

Brazil will begin its participation in the World Cup on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey. Later,it will face Haiti on June 20 and close the group phase against Scotland on June 25 .

Before the world debut, the Brazilian team will play two preparatory friendlies: the first will be on May 31 against Panama in Maracaná stadium, while the second will be played on June 6 against Egypt in Cleveland.

The inclusion of Neymar in the pre-list keeps open the possibility of the attacker challenging a new World Cup, something that seemed distant after the serious injury suffered in 2023.