Ronaldo: Neymar's Inclusion in World Cup Squad Would Be a Game-Changer

Ronaldo urges Ancelotti to call up Neymar for World Cup

Brazil legend Ronaldo urges coach Carlo Ancelotti to call up Neymar for the World Cup, citing his importance to the team.

“The people hope 100 percent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he's not there...”

Brazilian legend Ronaldo is urging coach Carlo Ancelotti to include Neymar in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo believes Neymar's talent and experience would be invaluable to the team, stating, “He is a decisive player for the Brazilian Selecao. We don’t have another player like Neymar.” The 49-year-old former striker, who scored 62 goals in 99 matches for Brazil, thinks Neymar's presence would significantly boost the team's chances.

Neymar, Brazil's record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches, hasn't played for Brazil since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury. Despite his injury-plagued comeback, Ronaldo feels Neymar's skills would be a huge asset to the team. “The people hope 100 percent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he’s not there,” Ronaldo added.

Ancelotti, however, is prioritizing Neymar's fitness, stating that the player needs to be in top physical condition to contribute to the team. “We need him in peak condition so he can help the national team the way we all know he can,” Ancelotti said. Neymar has been playing regularly for Santos since returning from a stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, but Ancelotti has not included him in his recent squads due to fitness concerns.

Neymar's Current Status:

• Injury History: Neymar suffered a serious knee injury in October 2023 and has been out of the Brazil squad since then.

• Current Fitness: Ancelotti emphasizes the need for Neymar to be in top physical condition before considering him for the World Cup.

• Club Performance: Neymar has played 19 games for Santos this season, scoring six goals and showing glimpses of his old magic.

Ronaldo, Brazil's two-time World Cup winner, believes Neymar is a decisive player for the Brazilian national team. “He is a decisive player for the Brazilian Selecao. We don't have another player like Neymar,” Ronaldo said during a publicity event in Sao Paulo. This statement comes despite Neymar not being called up by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti for his four matches in charge.

Neymar, 33, has been playing regularly for Santos since returning to the club in January after a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal. Despite his current form, Ancelotti has not included him in the Brazil squad. Ronaldo's comments highlight Neymar's importance to the Brazilian team and suggest he may still play a key role in the future.

Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes Neymar's inclusion in the World Cup squad would significantly boost the team's chances. “The people hope 100 percent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he's not there,” Ronaldo said. The 49-year-old former striker, who scored 62 goals in 99 games for Brazil, emphasized Neymar's importance to the team.

Neymar's injury-plagued recent years have raised concerns about his fitness. He missed Brazil's Copa America triumph in 2019 and suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty against Uruguay in October 2023. This injury forced him to cut short his spell with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he played just five times and scored one goal after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023.

Despite these setbacks, Ronaldo's comments suggest he believes Neymar still has a crucial role to play for Brazil. Neymar has been playing regularly for Santos since returning to the club in January, and Ronaldo's words may put pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti to reconsider his decision not to call up the 33-year-old forward.

Neymar's journey back to form has been marked by a year-long absence from competitive football due to a serious knee injury. After a brief stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, he left the club and joined Santos, playing only two games before departing. Ancelotti's comments on Neymar's fitness suggest that the player still has work to do to reach optimal levels.

Ancelotti emphasized the importance of Neymar's physical condition, stating that “he needs to get in better shape to help the national team and to give the best of himself at the World Cup.” This decision to leave Neymar out of the squad for World Cup qualifiers in September highlights Ancelotti's focus on building a well-rounded team with players in top form.