Carlo Ancelotti Drops Neymar From His First Brazil National Team Squad
BELEM, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 08: Neymar Jr. of Brazil celebrates after scoring the fourth goal of his ... More team during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Bolivia at Mangueirao on September 08, 2023 in Belem, Brazil.
On Monday Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his final Brazil squad for the upcoming June international break and Neymar is not on the list.
Santos superstar Neymar has just returned to club action but he will have to wait for a return to the national team. Despite being named in Carlo Ancelotti's provisional Brazil squad just last week, he has been dropped from the final list of names.
Asked about this during his first press conference as new Brazil boss, Ancelotti explained that Neymar is still a big part of his plans, but that this wasn't the time to bring him back into the international frame.
Neymar has been injured more than he has played football since returning to Santos early this year, and since his latest hamstring injury he has only managed two appearances for his boyhood club.
On a day where he also confirmed his plans to live in Brazil; Ancelotti explained to news reporters that he had enjoyed a phone call with Neymar that very morning.
The legendary Italian manager then reassured the public that Neymar is definitely a player he wants to bring to the FIFA 2026 World Cup, but that at the present moment it is best if the attacking midfielder continues recovering from his recent injury. Ancelotti explained that there is no rush for him to return to the pitch and suggested that Neymar agreed with that on their call.
26 May 2025, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro: Carlo Ancelotti speaks at his presentation as the new coach of ... More the Brazilian national soccer team. Photo: Joao Gabriel Alves/dpa
After recurring injuries Ancelotti is wise to ease pressure on a Neymar return. Plus, the whole world knows of his quality. Ancelotti can use the extra space in his squad to try out new players and those who he didn't encounter in Europe as regularly as Neymar when he coached the likes of Real Madrid.
The final squad includes players from six different leagues. Seven each from the Premier League and the Brazilian Série A. Five from the French top flight, three from La Liga in Spain and two from the Italian top division. There is also room for one player from the Saudi Pro League in Ancelotti's first Brazil squad.
The June window could be huge for players like Antony, Casemiro and Richarlison. They are talented footballers who have had their ups and downs domestically over the last couple of years, but Ancelotti wants to give them a chance, and Antony of course has been in fine form for club side Real Betis as of late.
Five Flamengo players also make the cut as the Rio de Janeiro giants are represented more than any other team in the squad. The likes of Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Gabriel of Arsenal miss out with injuries, but Raphina, Vinicus Junior and others ensure that this is still a group filled with star quality.
Carlo Ancelotti will manage Brazil for the first time on Thursday, June 5th when they travel to Ecuador. Brazil then hosts Paraguay in São Paulo in another FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier a few days later. Let's not forget that last time out Brazil was humbled by Argentina and fans are impatient with the current squad.
This international break is a huge opportunity for everyone in the team to make a good first impression on incoming coach Carlo Ancelotti, and for the coach himself to calm the nerves of anxious Brazilian fans.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - MAY 26: Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is presented as the new head coach of ... More the Brazil national team by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and holds his first press conference at a hotel in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
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