Carlo Ancelotti addresses Neymar speculation as Brazil legends call for recall
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Neymar’s chances of playing in the World Cup are becoming slim.
In response to the mounting speculation about Neymar’s future with Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti has made a statement. Many current stars and legends have called for Santos’ forward to be included in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad despite his continuous absence from the national team.
Prior to Brazil’s friendly match against France in Boston, Ancelotti responded to the persistent queries about Neymar’s exclusion from his plans.
Ancelotti clears the air regarding Neymar’s call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad
The Italian coach, who hasn’t called up the Santos striker since assuming control of the national team, recognises the public controversy but maintains that his attention is still on the team as a whole.
“I observe everything, I listen to everything. But my role is to make decisions. It’s normal that everyone can have an opinion, because football isn’t a university… football isn’t an exact science.
“Everyone has their opinion, and I have to respect everyone’s opinion,” Ancelotti told reporters, as per ESPN.
Ancelotti is under more heat now that Brazilian legends have spoken out. Romario, the hero of the 1994 World Cup, was especially direct in his evaluation of the circumstances, advising the management to put skill ahead of strict physical standards.
As Ancelotti begins to finalise his World Cup plans, Brazil‘s immediate focus shifts to the match against France and the friendly against Croatia that follows.
Before Ancelotti selects his team for the World Cup competition, Neymar has just eight games remaining for Santos, beginning with a Serie A match against Remo-PA on April 2.
Will Neymar be called up for Brazil’s World Cup squad?
Ancelotti hasn’t revealed if the forward will be named in the squad.
When will Ancelotti announce the squad?
He could announce the squad in May.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.