The dust is still settling on Neymar’s return to the Brazil squad, but more details are emerging over the shock call.
Few were expecting the country’s all-time top scorer to make it to the 2026 World Cup, given that he hasn’t played for them in over three years.
So when Neymar‘s name was read out by Carlo Ancelotti at an event last night, the response was equal amounts of glee and surprise.
Footage has since emerged of Neymar in tears at the moment, watching along with his friends and family.
Yet as it turns out, the 34-year-old had some idea this may have been coming.
Leading Brazilian outlet O Globo report that Ancelotti held a video call with Neymar 10 days ago, which included Rodrigo Caetano, the national team director.
There they set out three conditions for Neymar’s return.
They were that he would have to accept not being captain, not being a starter, and a new set of behavioural guidlines.
The guidelines are said to include a limit on his social media activity while with the national team.
Yet Neymar was only too delighted to accept, with the video call completely unexpected from his side.
It was the first time the pair had spoken since September, and Ancelotti has regularly suggested that Neymar won’t play for him.
Ancelotti was pleased with Neymar’s reaction, so the CBF then made the relevant checks on his fitness with Santos, and then chose to replace Joao Pedro with him.
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