Neymar has concluded his 16-year journey in the Brazil shirt, but the latest statements from manager Carlo Ancelotti are what particularly caught public attention.
Brazil officially closed a historical chapter as Neymar announced his retirement from the national team after 16 years of dedication. According to ESPN Brazil, manager Carlo Ancelotti not only expressed respect for the 34-year-old star’s decision but also defended his choice to call him up for the 2026 World Cup, despite pre-tournament fitness controversies.
The 2026 World Cup was originally designated by Neymar as his final milestone in a Selecao shirt. The forward even returned to Santos to prioritize regaining fitness rather than continuing to play in Europe. However, Brazil’s elimination in the round of 16 brought an end to his international journey. Notably, Ancelotti affirmed that bringing Neymar to the world’s biggest football stage was still completely correct, while revealing plans for a major squad overhaul looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup.
Speaking to ESPN journalist Pedro Ivo Almeida, the Italian strategist expressed respect for Neymar’s decision to leave the national team, viewing it as an inevitable law of football. He stated: “I think players like Neymar, who shared his decision yesterday, deserve respect. In history, when one generation closes, a new generation must emerge, and that generation needs to be better than the previous one.” This statement was viewed by Brazilian media as the opening note for a squad transition period.
Even so, Ancelotti also candidly admitted that his biggest regret was Neymar’s preparation prior to the 2026 World Cup. The 67-year-old manager said: “The only thing that dissatisfied me is that Neymar should have been better prepared in the pre-tournament period. He should have been ready from the very first match instead of only being able to play by the fourth match. That is the only shame.” Neymar was subsequently determined to have suffered a grade 2 calf muscle tear, causing him to miss the two opening matches against Morocco and Haiti.
Despite being unable to contribute much on the pitch, Ancelotti still praised the former Santos star’s attitude. He emphasized: “I think Neymar could not contribute on the pitch as expected because he was not physically fit enough. But in terms of attitude, he was fantastic. I like Neymar very much, thanked him for his spirit and conduct. I still believe that including him in the 26-man World Cup squad was the right decision.” According to ESPN Brazil, this was also a message confirming that the Italian manager has no regrets about his decision.
Closing his remarks, Ancelotti confirmed that Brazil will undergo a major rebuild as several veterans like Casemiro, Danilo, or Alex Sandro are likely ending their international careers. Nevertheless, he still wants to retain key leaders like Marquinhos while considering Alisson’s future to strike a balance between experience and youth. With Neymar officially saying goodbye, the Selecao under Ancelotti is ready to usher in a brand new era.
