The door to the World Cup is closing for Neymar.

Once an icon of Brazilian football, Neymar is now outside Carlo Ancelotti's plans. His fitness data, form, and even confidence all seem to be against him on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Once an icon of Brazilian football, Neymar is now outside of Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

The days when Neymar was the center of every plan are over. According to UOL , coach Carlo Ancelotti has almost certainly removed him from the squad preparing for the 2026 World Cup. The Italian coach no longer considers the Santos star capable of handling the intensity of playing at the highest level.

Brazil's national team experts closely monitored Neymar throughout his recovery. GPS data and physiological indicators showed that he was "significantly below peak performance."

An inside source said: "There's no longer any excitement or expectation that he can return to his former self." In other words, Neymar has lost the faith of those who once placed their dreams in him.

Ancelotti maintained a calm demeanor when discussing the team's future, but he didn't hide his stance: Brazil only needs players in top physical condition. In a recent press conference, he announced he had selected "17 to 18 names" and confirmed the testing phase was over. The March squad will almost certainly be the World Cup team. Those words sounded like a death knell for Neymar's last hope.

Neymar is unlikely to participate in the 2026 World Cup.

The door isn't completely closed, but the gap is very narrow. UOL suggests that if Neymar explodes in form in the next few months, playing regularly and reaching peak performance, Ancelotti might reconsider. However, given his extensive injury history and declining fitness, that's almost an impossible task.

From the 2014 World Cup to Qatar 2022, Neymar has always been the heart and soul of the Seleção. He carries the belief, emotion, and pressure of an entire nation. But football waits for no one. The new generation of Brazilians, with Vinícius, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Martinelli, is growing stronger every day, and they no longer need a tired Neymar.

Unless a miracle happens, the 2026 World Cup could be the first tournament in over ten years where Brazil takes to the field without Neymar. And perhaps, that would also mark the end of an era in which he was once the flagbearer of Brazilian pride.

Source: https://znews.vn/canh-cua-world-cup-dang-khep-lai-voi-neymar-post1600171.html