“Neymar out of Brazil’s call-up and responds to Ancelotti’s absence.”

In a surprising announcement, the head coach of the Brazilian National Team, Carlo Ancelotti, revealed the call-up for the upcoming friendlies, leaving out none other than Neymar Jr. The absence of the star, who has been struggling to regain form after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2023, has raised concerns among fans and football experts.

Brazil, the five-time world champion, is preparing to face France and Croatia on March 27 and April 1, respectively. In addition to these matches, the team will also meet Egypt on June 7, a week before the highly anticipated start of the 2026 World Cup, which will kick off against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in the United States. Following the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia in a dramatic penalty shootout, Brazil is seeking recovery under Ancelotti’s leadership.

At the press conference, Ancelotti justified his decision, stating that he selected only players who are in full physical condition. “This is a call-up that takes into account players who are 100% fit. We have had significant injuries, such as those of Eder Militão, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão, and Rodrygo,” the coach emphasized.

Ancelotti’s selection also brought positive surprises, with Premier League forwards Igor Thiago from Brentford and Rayan from Bournemouth being called up to the team. Thiago, who is currently the second top scorer in the English league, received well-deserved recognition for his performances.

Neymar, for his part, did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with the decision. At an event in São Paulo, the Brazilian football icon declared himself “depressed and sad” for not being selected. “But my focus remains, day after day, training after training, game after game. We will achieve our goal; there is still the final call-up,” said the forward, who feels the pressure to reclaim his spot in the team ahead of the World Cup, with the final squad list to be announced on May 18. The last friendly before the tournament will be against Panama, scheduled for May 31 in Rio de Janeiro.

Ancelotti’s call-up includes big names, with goalkeepers Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), and Bento (Al-Nassr) standing out. The defensive line features players like Alex Sandro and Marquinhos, while the midfield is bolstered by Casemiro and Fabinho. In attack, the new generation of talents, including Endrick, João Pedro, and Vinicius Júnior, indicates that the future of Brazilian football looks promising.

With Brazil looking to reverse recent failures and shine once again on the world stage, Neymar’s absence raises questions about his condition and the impact this may have on the team. Only time will tell if the star will be able to overcome the obstacles and secure his place in the history of the Brazilian National Team once again.