Carlo Ancelotti Drops Neymar from Brazil Team
 |
| Ancelotti names squad without Neymar for friendlies |
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti names squad for friendlies against France and Croatia without star forward Neymar.
Neymar misses Brazil's March friendlies due to muscle fatigue as young guns get call-up...
Neymar won't be part of Brazil's squad for their upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, as coach Carlo Ancelotti focuses on players who are 100% fit for the 2026 World Cup. The decision comes after Neymar missed a recent Santos match due to muscle fatigue, raising concerns about his readiness for the tournament.
Ancelotti has instead called up younger players like Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Rayan, giving them a chance to shine. The squad includes experienced players like Alisson, Casemiro, and Marquinhos, who will look to lead Brazil to their sixth World Cup title.
Neymar's absence deals a blow to Brazil's Copa America plans, with the star forward missing a recent Santos FC match due to muscle fatigue. This scraps Ancelotti's plans to scout him ahead of the squad announcement.
Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has struggled with consistency since returning to Santos last year, and hasn't played for the national team since a serious knee injury in October 2023.
“Neymar can be at the World Cup if he's 100%,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday after announcing his squad. “I didn't call him up because he's not 100%. Neymar has to be training and playing.”
Ancelotti's giving young guns a shot, calling up 19-year-old Endrick and Brentford's Igor Thiago, looking to shake up Brazil's attack. Endrick's back in the squad for the first time in almost a year.
Brazil's got friendlies against France and Croatia lined up, then they'll face Egypt in June before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13.
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
No comments:
Leave comment here