Perhaps bowing to pressure, or he’s genuinely changed his mind, Carlo Ancelotti has finally held out an olive branch to Neymar.
The Brazil coach is yet to call-up the nation’s all-time top scorer since taking the job, with Neymar not wearing his country’s colours since October 2023.
Ancelotti has never sounded convinced about the Santos striker and has regularly suggested he won’t be getting called up.
However, he appears to be opening a door that previously looked shut.
Ancelotti gives Neymar hope
“He’s a great talent and it’s normal that people think he can help us win the next World Cup,” Don Carlo told France Football.
“Neymar is capable of returning to 100% and still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup.
“I will call up the players who are physically ready. After his knee injury, he has made a good comeback, he is scoring goals.
“He must continue in this direction and improve his condition. He is on the right track.”
Ancelotti will name his World Cup squad on May 18th with a pair of friendlies in the following weeks before the real action gets underway.
Should Neymar be called up, it will mean he plays in the tournament without previously impressing Neymar.
Neymar has plenty of support
Yet during the last break, Neymar’s teammates made it clear to Ancelotti where they stand.
Vinicius Jr, Marquinhos and Thiago Silva all put pressure on their new coach with comments in the media.
PSG and Brazil captain Marquinhos commented: “I sincerely believe it will happen.
“He really wants to get back in shape. And we, as teammates, Brazilians, and fans, also want him to participate in this World Cup.”
Marquinhos continued: “For us defenders, it’s horrible [to face him]. You close down on the right, he goes left; you close down on the left, he goes right.
“When you think it’s impossible for him to get out, he invents a move, a little dance step, and he manages to escape.
“Every day he created something he had never done before, he impressed us.”
Leave a Reply