Ancelotti leaves Neymar out of the Brazil squad, his response is brutal and honest
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.03.26. | 10:42
Carletto claims the former Barcelona star has not yet fully recovered his peak form. The Selecao face France on 26 March before playing Croatia on 31 March
The heat is on, as Neymar is out!
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of the Brazilian national team, decided not to call up the veteran forward for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, sparking discussion and comments, including from the player himself.
Neymar, 34, who now plays for Santos, was left out of the Selecao squad because of fitness concerns, according to Ancelotti. Still, the coach said Neymar could make the 26-man World Cup squad.
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Carlo Ancelotti on why he didn't call up Neymar:
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) March 16, 2026
"Neymar isn't being called up because he is not 100% fit. He could still be called up for the World Cup. He needs to keep playing games to maintain good physical condition." pic.twitter.com/3x7Bynur4P
Explaining his decision, Ancelotti said: "Neymar can be at the World Cup too. If he can reach the next World Cup at 100 per cent, he can be there. Why is he not on this list now? Because he is not 100%. We need players at 100% right now. But as I said, for the final list, the conversation is different. Neymar has to keep working and playing, showing his qualities in a good physical condition."
Ancelotti recently went to watch a Santos match, hoping to see Neymar play, but he missed the game because of muscle fatigue.
🚨Neymar Jr: “I’m upset, sad, about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after game”.💔
— Football Virals (@FootballviralHQ) March 17, 2026
“We’re going to achieve our goal. There’s still one final call-up left and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together”.🤞 pic.twitter.com/owKn1WpIIp
Despite this, Brazil’s all-time top scorer quickly expressed his frustration with Ancelotti’s decision, posting on social media that he is "sad and upset".
"I'm going to talk about it here because I can't just let it slide," Neymar told his followers.
"Of course, I'm upset and sad about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after game... We're going to achieve our goal. There's still one final call-up left for the World Cup, and my dream lives on. We're in this together."
CONVOCADOS! 📋
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) March 16, 2026
O mister Ancelotti divulgou a lista de jogadores convocados para os amistosos contra França e Croácia, nos dias 26 e 31 de março, nos Estados Unidos.
BATE NO PEITO!
ISSO É BRASIL 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/qT9zVAn6Gl
The current squad includes both experienced players and new talents. The attack remains strong with Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid, Raphinha from Barcelona, Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, and Joao Pedro from Chelsea.
Other forwards include Matheus Cunha from Manchester United, Igor Thiago from Brentford, and young Endrick, who returns to the squad after impressing at Lyon while on loan from Real Madrid.
Brazil face France on 26 March in Boston before playing Croatia in Orlando on 31 March.