Casemiro to return to Brazil squad under Carlo Ancelotti; Neymar also in plans for World Cup 2026: Report

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :May 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM

Modified at :May 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM

(Courtesy : Getty)

The Manchester United midfielder last played for Selecao in 2023.

Even though Carlo Ancelotti, the current manager of Real Madrid, was only announced as the manager of the Brazilian national team on Monday, it appears the Italian is already trying to establish himself with the team.

The 63-year-old has reportedly called Manchester United midfielder Casemiro to return to the squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 33-year-old is a seasoned and outspoken leader who won LaLiga, two UEFA Champions Leagues and the Copa del Rey trophy while playing for Real Madrid under Ancelotti.

In 2022, Casemiro departed Real Madrid to move to the Premier League with Man United. The Brazilian had a difficult 2023–2024 season after an outstanding initial season, occasionally acting as a scapegoat before being linked to a transfer away from the club.

He eventually stayed at Old Trafford, and although he had initially lost favour when Erik ten Hag was replaced as head coach by Ruben Amorim, Casemiro has recently appeared to find fresh life after scoring in both of United’s victories over Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League semifinals.

Fabrizio Romano claims that Casemiro is being called up because of his leadership abilities, suggesting that Ancelotti has once again taken notice of the midfield player.

🚨🇧🇷 Carlo Ancelotti has already made initial plans to discuss Casemiro’s return as part of Brazil squad.The relationship has always been excellent and Carlo wants more leaders to be part of the squad, including Man United’s midfielder. pic.twitter.com/dDpvHr8kyu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2025

Casemiro would offer a wealth of experience to the club, having made 75 international appearances to date and scoring seven goals. He was last called up for the Brazilian national team in 2023, when he was designated skipper by then-head coach Fernando Diniz.

Carlo Ancelotti also relying on Neymar for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup

However, it appears that Ancelotti’s ambition to reinstate the old guard extends beyond Casemiro. Neymar, a former Barcelona player that Ancelotti will know well from their LaLiga days, is also said to have discussed a comeback with the Italian as per Globo.

Neymar is reportedly viewed as a crucial leader for Brazil and a vital component of their World Cup campaign, much like Casemiro.

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Rajarshi Shukla

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.