Neymar Challenges Coach’s Decision
Neymar has challenged the assertion made by Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti regarding his exclusion from the squad for the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, attributing it to an injury. Ancelotti had previously stated that Neymar was omitted due to a “minor injury” and emphasized that it was unnecessary to assess the forward’s fitness before the selection, saying he needed to be in good physical shape to make the cut.
Neymar’s Response
However, following Santos’ scoreless draw against Fluminense on Sunday, where he featured for the entire match, Neymar offered a contrasting explanation.
“I experienced some swelling in my adductor, which caused discomfort, but it was nothing serious, as evidenced by the fact that I played today. I was already ruled out for the match against Bahía scheduled for August 24, which is why they opted to give me time to recover rather than include me in training sessions. My exclusion was based on tactical decisions rather than any physical issues; it’s the coach’s choice, and I respect that. Now, my focus is on supporting the team from the sidelines,”
Neymar stated.
Brazil’s Current Standing
As Brazil prepares to face Chile at home this Wednesday and then travels to Bolivia for their next qualifier on Tuesday, they currently sit third in the CONMEBOL standings, sharing 25 points with Ecuador, yet trailing behind Argentina and just a point ahead of both Uruguay and Paraguay.
Squad Announcement
In a recent squad announcement, Ancelotti confirmed a 25-player roster that includes forwards such as Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, and Richarlison. This comes after the Italian’s initial matches in charge resulted in a draw with Ecuador and a narrow victory over Paraguay earlier this June. Neymar, who has returned to his former club Santos after a stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, is keenly observing as his teammates strive for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
