Brazil head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has made it clear that Neymar’s return to the national team depends on his fitness level.
The 32-year-old forward, who previously starred for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has been absent from the Selecão since October 2023 after sustaining a serious knee ligament injury that stalled his career revival.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Ancelotti stressed that Neymar’s quality is unquestionable but insisted that only peak physical condition will secure him a place in the squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going to observe how Neymar plays, obviously. Everyone knows his talent,” Ancelotti told ESPN Brasil.
“In modern football, to take advantage of his talent, the player has to be in good physical condition. If he is in his best physical condition, he will have no problems being in the national team.
“Everyone wants Neymar in the national team in good physical condition. I spoke with him and I said, ‘You have time to prepare in the best way to be there and help the team try to do their best in the World Cup’.”
