Ancelotti warns Neymar about declining fitness

At 33, Neymar no longer has to deal with defenders, but with his own body.

At 33, Neymar no longer has to deal with defenders, but with his own body.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti did not want to talk about Neymar, but he had to. “He is a legend of Brazilian football. Everyone wants Neymar to return to his best form,” the Brazilian captain shared briefly, more as a reminder than a compliment.

Modern football has no room for pure emotion. Ancelotti knows that. “Today, in addition to talent, players need strength and intensity,” he added. The warning is aimed at Neymar, who once captivated the world but now struggles with his own body.

After a cruciate ligament injury in 2023, Neymar returned to Santos hoping for a fresh start. But what he got was injury after injury. Having just recovered from a 48-day break, he lost his temper after being substituted in the 85th minute of a loss to Flamengo. That image made people see a Neymar more frustrated and hurt than ever.

Sporting Director Alexandre Mattos called Neymar a “misunderstood genius” who “gets up after every fall.” It was a nice compliment, but it didn’t take away from the reality: Neymar had just three goals in 15 games, and Santos were fighting to avoid relegation.

At 33, Neymar still talks about the 2026 World Cup as an unfulfilled dream. But to get there, he must overcome himself, a tired body and a fading belief. No one doubts Neymar's talent, but what football needs right now is not just technique, but the strength to stand up and not fall again.

Source: https://znews.vn/ancelotti-canh-bao-neymar-ve-the-luc-sa-sut-post1602309.html