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Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has publicly admitted that Neymar was correct in his assessment of being excluded from the national team for technical reasons rather than fitness concerns. In a rare moment of tactical transparency, the Italian manager acknowledged the validity of his star player’s claims while defending his squad selection philosophy ahead of Brazil’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

Ancelotti’s Honest Admission

Speaking at a pre-match press conference before Brazil’s fixture against Chile, Ancelotti directly addressed the controversy surrounding Neymar’s omission. “He’s right, it’s a technical decision based on a lot of things,” the head coach candidly admitted, validating the Santos forward’s earlier statements that contradicted the official explanation.

This admission represents a significant shift from Ancelotti’s initial justification for leaving Brazil’s all-time leading scorer out of the squad. The coach had previously cited “a minor issue” and suggested that Neymar needed to be at full physical capacity for the World Cup, implying fitness concerns were the primary factor in his decision.

The Background: Conflicting Explanations

The controversy began when Ancelotti announced his 25-man squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers, notably excluding Neymar despite the player’s recent return to form with Santos. The Italian initially explained the omission by stating: “We all know Neymar. We need him at his best physically so he can help at the World Cup.”

However, Neymar publicly disputed this explanation after playing 90 minutes in Santos’ 0-0 draw against Fluminense. “It was a muscle edema, but nothing serious. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have played today or against Bahia the other day,” Neymar clarified. “If I was left out, it was a technical decision, it had nothing to do with my physical condition.”

Ancelotti’s Selection Philosophy Revealed

In his press conference admission, Ancelotti provided deeper insight into his selection philosophy, revealing the complex factors that influence his squad decisions. “I know what the player is doing and the problem he’s had,” Ancelotti explained, though he stopped short of detailing specific concerns about Neymar’s current situation.

The coach emphasized that his evaluation process extends beyond pure talent recognition. “No one can question Neymar’s technical level. What we’re evaluating is his physical condition. But not just his—everyone’s,” he stated, indicating that fitness assessments remain crucial even when making technical decisions.

Ancelotti further elaborated on the competitive nature of Brazil’s squad depth: “There’s a lot of competition. We have 70 players who could be in the national team.” This statement suggests that Neymar’s exclusion reflects not just individual circumstances but also the abundance of attacking talent available to the national team.

The World Cup Context

With Brazil having already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Ancelotti has used these qualifiers as an opportunity to experiment and evaluate players who might contribute to the tournament squad. The coach revealed his strategic thinking: “I already have a consolidated group in mind for the World Cup. The biggest mistake would be to get the list of 26 wrong.”

This admission provides crucial context for understanding Neymar’s omission. Rather than focusing solely on immediate results in matches against Chile and Bolivia, Ancelotti appears to be making long-term decisions about his core group for the World Cup, potentially indicating concerns about Neymar’s role in that tournament.

The Technical Decision Explained

Ancelotti’s confirmation that the decision was “technical” rather than medical opens questions about what factors influenced his thinking. While he praised Neymar’s undisputed talent, the coach hinted at broader considerations affecting selection.

“Maybe there are players with less quality, but who adapt better and can be more effective for the team,” Ancelotti acknowledged, suggesting that tactical fit and team dynamics played significant roles in his decision-making process.

Squad Composition Analysis

The current Brazil squad reflects Ancelotti’s tactical preferences, with notable absences extending beyond Neymar. Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo were also excluded, though reportedly for different reasons related to managing their workload and the coach’s familiarity with their capabilities.

The squad composition suggests Ancelotti prioritizes tactical balance and team cohesion over individual star power, even when that means excluding players of Neymar’s caliber.

Neymar’s Response and Future Implications

Despite the public disagreement with his coach, Neymar handled Ancelotti’s initial explanation with characteristic diplomacy. “It’s the coach’s decision. I respect it. I’m out, and now it’s my turn to support the national team,” the forward stated, maintaining professional conduct despite his obvious disappointment.

Ancelotti’s subsequent admission that Neymar was correct about the technical nature of the decision could potentially smooth relations between player and coach. The Italian’s willingness to acknowledge the accuracy of Neymar’s assessment suggests respect for the player’s perspective, even while maintaining his selection authority.

The Broader Context: Brazil’s Evolution

This incident reflects broader changes in Brazil’s national team dynamics under Ancelotti’s leadership. The coach has demonstrated willingness to make bold decisions, prioritizing what he perceives as best for team success over accommodating individual stars or managing public expectations.

The emphasis on physical condition alongside technical ability suggests Ancelotti’s approach draws from his extensive club management experience, where player fitness and tactical discipline often determine success in high-pressure environments.

Looking Forward: World Cup Implications

Ancelotti’s handling of the Neymar situation provides insight into his vision for Brazil’s World Cup campaign. His emphasis on having “a consolidated group in mind” suggests he’s already forming his core squad, with these qualifiers serving as final evaluations for remaining positions.

The coach’s admission about the technical nature of his decision also indicates that Neymar’s World Cup participation is not definitively ruled out, but will depend on factors beyond pure footballing ability. This could include tactical fit, physical condition, and integration with Ancelotti’s preferred system.

For Neymar, the challenge now becomes demonstrating not just individual excellence with Santos, but also addressing whatever technical concerns influenced Ancelotti’s decision. At 33, the forward’s international future increasingly depends on adapting to his coach’s specific requirements rather than relying solely on his undisputed talent.

The resolution of this situation—and Neymar’s potential path back to the national team—will likely influence Brazil’s attacking structure heading into the World Cup, making Ancelotti’s future squad decisions among the most closely watched in international football.

Read More: Neymar Reveals Truth Behind Brazil Squad Snub: Technical Reasons Not Injury

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Brazil’s all-time leading scorer Neymar has broken his silence on his omission from the national team’s latest squad, directly contradicting manager Carlo Ancelotti’s explanation and revealing what he believes to be the real reason behind his exclusion. The Santos forward’s candid response has added a new dimension to the ongoing speculation about his international future and relationship with the Italian coach.

Neymar Contradicts Ancelotti’s Official Explanation

Following Santos’ goalless draw with Fluminense on Sunday, where he played the full 90 minutes, Neymar offered a starkly different account of his absence from Brazil’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. His comments directly challenged the official narrative provided by coach Carlo Ancelotti just days earlier.

“It was some swelling I had in my adductor, some discomfort, but it was nothing serious, so much so that I played today,” Neymar explained to reporters. “I wasn’t going to play against Bahía anyway [on Aug. 24], so they preferred to save me some training sessions, to leave me out so I could recover. I was left out for technical reasons, it has nothing to do with my physical condition, it’s the coach’s opinion and I respect it.”

This statement stands in sharp contrast to Ancelotti’s public justification for the omission. The Italian coach had cited a “minor injury” as the primary reason for not selecting the 33-year-old, emphasizing the need for players to be in optimal physical condition for the demanding qualifiers.

The Coach’s Initial Stance

When Ancelotti announced his 25-man squad on August 25, he was clear about his reasoning regarding Neymar’s absence. “Neymar had a small problem last week, but we don’t need to test Neymar. Everyone knows him. Neymar, like everyone else, has to be in good physical condition to help the National Team perform well in the World Cup,” the coach stated during his press conference.

The Italian manager’s emphasis on physical readiness seemed reasonable given Brazil’s demanding qualification schedule and the high altitude they would face in Bolivia. However, Neymar’s subsequent performance for Santos and his own account of events have cast doubt on this explanation.

Brazil’s Current Squad Dynamics Under Ancelotti

The Neymar situation reflects broader changes in Brazil’s squad composition since Ancelotti took charge. The Italian coach has made bold selection choices, notably excluding several high-profile players from his recent call-ups. Remarkably, no Real Madrid players were included in the September squad, with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão all absent.

Ancelotti’s approach appears focused on experimentation and assessment, particularly given that Brazil have already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup. The coach explained his philosophy: “I want to get a closer look at players I don’t know as well on a personal level. This group should have a core of players who will be important for the World Cup. Around this core, we need to test players who could be part of the final squad in the future.”

Complete Brazil Squad for September 2025 Qualifiers

Goalkeepers (3):

• Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
• Bento Matheus (Al-Nassr)
• Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Defenders (8):

• Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
• Alexsandro Ribeiro (Lille)
• Caio Henrique (Monaco)
• Douglas Santos (Zenit)
• Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
• Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) – Captain
• Vanderson (Monaco)
• Wesley Franca (Roma)

Midfielders (5):

• Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
• Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
• Casemiro (Manchester United)
• Joelinton (Newcastle United)
• Lucas Paquetá (West Ham United)

Forwards (8):

• Estêvão (Chelsea)
• Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
• João Pedro (Chelsea)
• Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
• Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
• Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)

The squad notably features 12 players from Premier League clubs, demonstrating the continued English top-flight influence on Brazil’s national team. Roma’s Wesley Franca is the sole Serie A representative, while the domestic Brazilian league contributes four players.

The Forward Options Chosen

Instead of Neymar, Ancelotti selected eight forward options for the qualifiers: Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, João Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, and Richarlison. This diverse group represents a mix of established international players and emerging talents, suggesting the coach’s desire to evaluate alternatives ahead of the World Cup.

The inclusion of Chelsea’s teenage sensation Estêvão and the recall of West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá highlight Ancelotti’s willingness to blend youth with experience. Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge stands out as the only newcomer to the squad, demonstrating the coach’s commitment to discovering new talent.

Neymar’s International Exile and Return Journey

The current situation extends Neymar’s absence from international duty to nearly two years. His last appearance for Brazil came in October 2023 during a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, where he suffered a devastating ACL injury that sidelined him for over a year. The injury marked the beginning of the most challenging period of his international career.

Since returning to action with Santos in January 2025, following his departure from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, Neymar has been working to regain match fitness and form. His recent run of seven consecutive full matches for Santos represents significant progress, particularly given his injury-plagued recent years.

The Technical Decision Debate

Neymar’s assertion that his omission was based on “technical reasons” rather than fitness concerns raises important questions about Ancelotti’s tactical plans and the player’s role in them. The phrase suggests that the coach may have tactical or stylistic reservations about incorporating Neymar into his current system.

This interpretation gains credence when considering Ancelotti’s overall approach to squad selection. The coach has consistently emphasized his desire to evaluate players he knows less well, implying that his familiarity with established stars like Neymar may actually work against their selection in these experimental phases.

The timing is particularly significant given Brazil’s comfortable position in World Cup qualifying. Currently sitting third in the CONMEBOL table with 25 points, level with Ecuador and well-positioned for automatic qualification, Brazil can afford to experiment without compromising their World Cup participation.

Impact on Neymar’s World Cup Prospects

The public disagreement between player and coach regarding the reasons for his omission could have implications for Neymar’s prospects of making Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. While Ancelotti has not definitively ruled out the forward’s future involvement, the emphasis on finding alternatives suggests a possible changing of the guard.

At 33, Neymar faces the natural challenges of an aging player seeking to maintain his place in an evolving national team. His injury history, combined with extended periods away from international football, may have affected Ancelotti’s confidence in his reliability for major tournaments.

However, Neymar’s status as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and his undeniable talent mean he cannot be written off entirely. His recent return to consistent playing time with Santos and his public commitment to regaining his international place suggest he remains motivated to contribute to Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

The Santos Factor and Domestic Performance

Neymar’s return to Santos represents more than just a career move; it’s a homecoming that has rekindled hopes of a successful conclusion to his international career. The familiar environment and reduced pressure compared to European football have allowed him to focus on rebuilding his fitness and confidence.

His recent performances for Santos, including the full 90-minute display against Fluminense that prompted his post-match comments, demonstrate his growing match fitness. The ability to complete matches consistently after his lengthy injury layoff represents a crucial step in his attempted international comeback.

The domestic setting also provides Ancelotti with easier access to monitor Neymar’s progress, potentially making future call-ups more straightforward if the coach’s assessment of the player changes.

Looking Forward: September Qualifiers and Beyond

Brazil’s upcoming matches against Chile (September 5) and Bolivia (September 10) will provide Ancelotti with opportunities to assess his squad choices and potentially validate his decision to exclude Neymar. The performance of the selected forwards will be scrutinized, particularly in the context of the debate surrounding the veteran’s omission.

The qualifiers also represent a chance for Ancelotti to demonstrate his tactical vision for the national team and how he plans to utilize Brazil’s depth in attack. The success or failure of his experimental approach may influence future squad selections and Neymar’s chances of returning to international duty.

For Neymar, the focus now shifts to maintaining his fitness and form with Santos while hoping that consistent performances might change Ancelotti’s assessment. His respectful acceptance of the coach’s decision, while simultaneously clarifying the circumstances, suggests a mature approach to a disappointing situation.

As Brazil continue their preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the Neymar situation serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics between veteran stars and evolving national team strategies. Whether this represents a temporary setback or a more permanent shift in Brazil’s attacking approach remains to be seen, but the player’s determination to return suggests this story is far from over.

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