Neymar “Can Play for Any Team in the World” – Ancelotti Keeps Door Open for Brazil Return

Brazil’s legendary forward has received a significant boost to his World Cup hopes as manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to close the door on a return to the national team for the 2026 tournament. Speaking from Tokyo ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Japan, the Italian tactician delivered a ringing endorsement of the Santos star’s abilities, stating that when fit, he possesses the quality to play for any team in the world.

Ancelotti’s Powerful Statement on Neymar’s World-Class Ability

The veteran manager’s comments came during his pre-match press conference, where he addressed questions about Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and his potential involvement in next year’s World Cup. His response was unequivocal in its praise for the forward’s technical capabilities.

When in good physical condition, the forward has the quality to play not only for the Brazilian national team but for any team in the world because of his incredible talent, the manager emphasized. This statement carries particular weight given the coach’s extensive experience managing elite clubs including Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.

Ancelotti’s Career With World-Class Players

The Brazilian tactician’s experience working with generational talents throughout his distinguished career lends credibility to his assessment. Having managed players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and currently coaching Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo with the national team, the manager understands elite talent when he sees it.

The Fitness Condition That Could Decide Everything

While expressing confidence in the player’s abilities, the manager made crystal clear that physical fitness represents the decisive factor for inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad. The technical commission confirmed that the group of players is not completely closed, emphasizing that the main objective of this phase is the adaptation of the athletes to the tactical scheme.

The Santos forward has endured a challenging return to Brazilian football since rejoining his boyhood club in January 2025. Recurring muscular injuries have plagued his second spell at the club, limiting him to just three goals in 13 league appearances this season. Most recently, he suffered a thigh muscle tear in mid-September that has kept him sidelined, with an expected return in early November.

Neymar’s 2025 Injury Record at Santos

These fitness struggles stand in stark contrast to the explosive, dynamic player who once terrorized defenses across Europe. The forward has created 29 chances this season despite failing to register an assist, demonstrating that his technical quality and vision remain intact when available for selection.

March 2026: The Decisive Deadline for World Cup Squad

The manager has established a clear timeline for finalizing Brazil’s World Cup roster, with particular significance for the Santos star’s potential inclusion. FIFA has set a March deadline for national teams to announce their preliminary squad for the World Cup, giving players until then to prove they’re fit and ready to rejoin the squad.

This March FIFA window represents the final opportunity for the forward to demonstrate match fitness and form before squad selection. The coach plans to use the November 2025 international window, featuring matches against Senegal and Tunisia on European soil, as the last major evaluation period before the core group crystallizes.

The 33-year-old has not represented Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered a serious injury during a 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat against Uruguay. That nearly two-year absence from international duty makes his potential return all the more remarkable, yet it also highlights the urgency of his situation.

Brazil’s All-Time Leading Scorer Chasing Final Glory

Few players have contributed more to Brazilian football than the Santos forward. His international record stands among the most impressive in world football, having surpassed the legendary Pelé to become Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Career International Statistics

His 79 goals for the Seleção represent more than just statistics; they symbolize decades of brilliance, pressure, and perseverance for his nation. From his international debut in 2010 at just 18 years old, he has been the focal point of Brazilian attacking football, carrying the weight of a nation’s expectations through three World Cups.

The 2026 World Cup could represent his final opportunity to achieve the one honor that has eluded him: lifting football’s most prestigious trophy. Brazil came agonizingly close in 2014, reaching the semi-finals on home soil before suffering the traumatic 7-1 defeat to Germany while the forward watched from the sidelines nursing a serious back injury.

A New Generation Flourishing Under Ancelotti

While maintaining an open door for the veteran star, the manager has simultaneously overseen the emergence of an exciting young generation of Brazilian talent. Under the Italian coach, Brazil is undergoing a generational shift led by young talents such as Rodrygo, Endrick, and Vinícius Jr.

The team’s recent 5-0 demolition of South Korea showcased this new attacking firepower. Eighteen-year-old Estevão, who recently joined Chelsea, scored twice in that victory, while Real Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo also found the net. This young core has helped Brazil secure qualification for the 2026 tournament and has raised questions about whether there’s room for a returning veteran.

Arsenal’s Raphinha has particularly thrived in the attacking midfielder role, providing creativity and goal threat in the forward’s absence. The tactical flexibility displayed by these younger players has enabled Brazil to perform effectively without relying on their iconic number 10.

The Santos Situation Adds Complexity

The forward’s club situation creates additional pressure regarding his international aspirations. Santos, one of Brazil’s most historic clubs, finds itself in a precarious position, sitting just five points above the relegation zone in Serie A. The team desperately needs their talisman to return and help secure their top-flight status.

Club president Marcelo Teixeira confirmed that the player will not return until November at the earliest, meaning he’ll miss crucial matches in Santos’ survival battle. His absence couldn’t come at a worse time, with the club needing every available point to avoid the catastrophic scenario of relegation.

This creates a delicate balance for all parties. Santos needs the player fully fit and focused on club duties through December. Brazil needs him demonstrating consistent fitness and form through the March deadline. The player himself must navigate recovery carefully, avoiding rushing back and risking further injury.

World Cup Dream Versus Physical Reality

The tension between ambition and physical capability defines the current narrative surrounding Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. His desire to represent the Seleção one final time remains unwavering, but his body has betrayed him repeatedly throughout 2025.

The statistics paint a sobering picture. Missing 14 matches due to injury in a single season demonstrates the fragility that has characterized his recent years. This pattern emerged during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he missed 119 matches across six seasons due to various injuries, and continued at Al-Hilal before his Santos return.

Yet the manager’s comments suggest that if the forward can achieve and maintain fitness for a sustained period, his technical quality remains sufficient for international football. The question is whether his 33-year-old body can withstand the physical demands required to compete at the World Cup’s intensity.

Comparing Past World Cup Campaigns

The forward’s World Cup history provides context for understanding what he still hopes to achieve. His journey with Brazil at the tournament has been marked by brilliance, heartbreak, and unfulfilled potential.

In 2014, playing on home soil, he was instrumental in Brazil’s progress to the semi-finals before a brutal challenge from Colombia’s Juan Zúñiga fractured his vertebra, ending his tournament. The team subsequently suffered the infamous 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany without their talisman.

Four years later in Russia, despite the forward being fit, Brazil fell to Belgium in the quarter-finals. At Qatar 2022, they again reached the quarter-finals before losing on penalties to Croatia. Across these three tournaments, the player scored 8 goals, but the trophy remained elusive.

The 2026 tournament represents potentially his final chance to complete his legacy, making the manager’s encouraging words particularly significant.

The Broader Context of Brazil’s World Cup Preparations

The manager’s approach to squad building reflects a pragmatic balance between respecting established talent and embracing emerging stars. His statements about the forward indicate he won’t make emotional decisions but will evaluate players purely on current form and fitness.

Brazil has qualified comfortably for the 2026 tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded 48-team format provides additional matches and opportunities, potentially benefiting experienced players who can manage tournament demands effectively.

The Italian tactician, who became Brazil’s first non-native coach in over six decades when appointed in May 2025, brings fresh perspectives to the role. His tactical flexibility and experience managing diverse personalities position him well to integrate returning veterans if circumstances warrant.

What Success Looks Like for All Parties

For the forward to successfully return to the national team, several conditions must align. First and foremost, he must achieve consistent match fitness, playing regular minutes for Santos without setbacks. Second, his performances must demonstrate he can impact games at the required level. Third, he must show he can fit within the team’s tactical structure without disrupting the chemistry developed during his absence.

For Brazil, the calculation involves weighing the forward’s undeniable quality and experience against the risk of disrupting a functioning system. If he returns fit and in form, his creativity, set-piece ability, and big-game mentality could prove invaluable. However, if fitness concerns persist, carrying an unreliable player to the World Cup could prove costly.

For Santos, they simply need their star player healthy and productive to secure survival. The club’s commercial and sporting fortunes are intertwined with his presence, making his recovery paramount to their short-term future.

A Door Remains Open, But Time Is Running Out

The manager’s comments represent both encouragement and ultimatum. The door to Brazil’s World Cup squad remains open, but it won’t stay that way indefinitely. The forward has approximately four months to prove his fitness and form before the March 2026 deadline.

His situation encapsulates the bittersweet nature of sporting twilight. His talent remains evident; his legacy is secure as Brazil’s greatest goalscorer. But physical limitations threaten to end his international career not with triumph but with injury-enforced absence.

The coming months will determine whether Brazilian football fans witness one final chapter in their icon’s international career or whether the 2023 match against Uruguay marked his last appearance in the famous yellow shirt. Either way, the manager has ensured that the decision will be made on sporting merit rather than sentiment, respecting both the player’s contributions and the team’s World Cup ambitions.

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