Neymar’s participation in the upcoming World Cup is hanging by a thread, and the situation has become so complex that Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has sought advice from the very top: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Amid the superstar’s declining club form and persistent fitness struggles, Ancelotti directly asked the President for his thoughts on whether the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer still deserves a spot on the World Cup roster.
“He Has to Be Professional”
The fascinating conversation was revealed by President Lula himself during a recent live broadcast on YouTube. According to the President, Ancelotti point-blank asked him: “Do you think Neymar should be called up to the national team?”
Lula’s response was surprisingly candid and cut straight to the core of Neymar’s current career trajectory. “If he’s fit enough, then he’s still good enough,” Lula explained. “But the important thing is whether he really wants to or not.”
This perspective perfectly encapsulates the dilemma surrounding the forward. A string of persistent injuries and a severe lack of consistent playing time recently kept Neymar out of Ancelotti’s squad. Lula stressed that raw talent is no longer enough to guarantee a call-up on the world’s biggest stage.
“If he wants to make a comeback, he has to be professional. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi; they are still performing at the highest level,” the President added. “Neymar isn’t old yet, but he can’t rely on fame.”
Off-Field Controversies Cloud His Chances
Beyond his physical fitness, Neymar has actively made his path back to the national team much more difficult due to recent off-field controversies. Following Santos’ victory over Remo, the forward publicly slammed referee Savio Pereira Sampaio with shocking and highly criticized remarks.
Neymar’s use of the slang phrase “de chico” was heavily condemned as sexist and offensive to women, sparking a massive wave of public backlash. While he ultimately received only a one-match suspension for the outburst, the severe damage to his public image was already done.
Although Neymar eventually apologized, claiming the comment was intended as a lighthearted joke rather than an insult, the explanation did little to quell the growing sentiment that he has lost his professional focus.
A Final Test of Desire
As Ancelotti prepares to finalize his roster, the narrative surrounding Neymar has drastically shifted. It is no longer a simple debate about his legendary skills or his historical importance to the Seleção.
Instead, earning a ticket to the World Cup has become the ultimate test of attitude, desire, and professionalism for a player who was once the undisputed hope of Brazilian football. Whether Neymar can prove he still has the hunger to compete at the highest level remains to be seen.
