Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed concerns regarding Neymar ahead of the World Cup. The Italian tactician confirmed that the forward will not be removed from the tournament roster despite his injury.
Earlier, reports circulated that Neymar might miss upcoming friendly matches due to a calf muscle issue and could be sidelined for approximately two to three weeks. This raised questions among fans regarding his participation in the World Cup.
Ancelotti clarified the situation at a press conference. He stated that the Brazilian coaching staff hopes to see Neymar on the pitch for the first World Cup match against Morocco. If the forward is not fully fit by the opener, he is expected to return for the second match.
“We hope Neymar will be available for the first World Cup match against Morocco. If that is not possible, we will wait for him for the second match. We are not replacing anyone — the 26 players named in the squad will participate in the tournament,” said Ancelotti.
Neymar's fitness is of great importance to Brazil. His experience, individual skill, and creativity in decisive moments add significant strength to the 'Seleção' attack. Therefore, the coaching staff is trying to recover the player gradually without rushing.
In short, Carlo Ancelotti explicitly stated that Neymar will remain in the World Cup squad. The Brazilian forward might make it for the first game; otherwise, he is expected to return in the second round. The main news for fans is this: Neymar will not be cut from the squad, and the intrigue remains alive.
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