Neymar has insisted he is still holding on to his dream of making Brazil’s World Cup squad, despite being left out of the team for this month’s friendly matches against France and Croatia.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti explained that the Santos FC forward is not yet fully fit after announcing his latest squad.
Speaking during a live broadcast of a Kings League Brazil match on Monday, the 34-year-old admitted he was disappointed by the decision but remains focused on his goal.
“I have to speak up because I can’t just let it pass,” Neymar said. “Of course, I’m upset and sad not to be selected. But my focus hasn’t changed. It’s still about training every day, improving, and staying ready for every match.
“We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad list to come, and the dream is still alive. We’re all in this together.”
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the national team since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury involving his ACL and meniscus.
He is now racing against time to be fit for what could be his fourth World Cup appearance. Although he has not been included in any of Ancelotti’s squads since the Italian took charge in June, the coach has not ruled out selecting him when the final squad is announced on May 18.
Ancelotti, however, stressed that Neymar must continue to prove his fitness and form.
“He needs to keep working, keep playing, show his quality, and stay in good physical condition,” the coach said.
Despite his recent struggles with injuries, there is still strong support for Neymar to return to his best form.
Reacting on Instagram after the squad announcement, he thanked fans for their support and urged patience.
“Trust the process. Whatever will be, will be. Work in silence,” he wrote.
Fitness concerns have limited Neymar’s playing time recently. He delivered a quiet performance in a 1-1 draw with Corinthians and had earlier missed a midweek game against Mirassol, which Ancelotti attended.
Brazil are set to face France on March 26 in Boston before taking on Croatia on March 31 in Orlando.
