Neymar left out of Brazil squad for World Cup warmups
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Neymar has been left out of the Brazil squad for a pair of friendlies in the United States in March.
PHOTO: REUTERS
RIO DE JANEIRO – Neymar said he remains “focused” after his World Cup prospects dwindled on March 16, when Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti excluded him from the squad for a pair of friendlies in the United States.
Brazil face France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando on March 31 in the team’s final matches before World Cup rosters are announced.
“Neymar is not at 100 per cent and therefore he is not on the list,” Ancelotti said.
“Neymar is not at 100 per cent of his capability. If he can be at 100 per cent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.”
Neymar, 34, is Brazil’s all-time scoring leader with 79 goals, but the ageing attacker has not played internationally since he sustained a major knee injury in October 2023, during a World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay.
He is playing for Santos, his boyhood club in Brazil’s top division, following decorated spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and a short stop at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
The forward, speaking at a Kings League event in Sao Paulo on March 16, said that he was disappointed and sad about being left out.
“But I remain focused, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We will achieve our goal. The dream continues,” he said.
Ranked No. 5 in the world, Brazil ultimately qualified comfortably and were placed in Group C of the World Cup with Haiti, Morocco and Scotland. The Selecao open the tournament on June 13 against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of the July 19 final.
After the squad submission deadline, Brazil are scheduled to play tune-up matches against Panama on May 31 and Egypt on June 6.
Brazil have competed at every World Cup and won five, a tournament record, but exited in the quarter-finals at four of the past five editions.
Neymar, a three-time World Cup participant, was injured and missed the catastrophic 7-1 home loss to Germany in the 2014 semi-finals.
The 26-man squad for the US friendlies includes Lyon forward Endrick and Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who are receiving their first call-ups since Ancelotti took charge in 2025.
“We are preparing well for this World Cup. We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically and mentally,” the Italian said. “There are players who deserve to be here because they are doing well in their respective leagues.” REUTERS
