Brazil’s national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, recently stated that Neymar still has ample opportunity to regain full fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for this summer. Although Neymar has been sidelined since October 2023 due to injuries, the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) continues to monitor his situation closely. Ancelotti conveyed optimism regarding Neymar’s potential return, stating, “He is capable of getting back to 100%.” He highlighted that the player still has two months to demonstrate his fitness ahead of the tournament.

Neymar’s Record and Ongoing Absence

Neymar, now 34 years old, is aiming to play in his fourth World Cup, and remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. However, he has been absent from all national team selections since Ancelotti took over the coaching role in June 2023. During a recent interview, Ancelotti reiterated his commitment to selecting only those players who are physically prepared for the rigours of international competition, stating, “I’ll call up the players who are physically ready.” This statement underscores the coach’s focus on fitness as a crucial criterion for squad selection.

Despite Neymar’s lack of recent appearances for the national side, he has garnered substantial support from fans. During Brazil’s recent 2-1 loss to France in a warm-up match, supporters vocally expressed their respect for Neymar. Ancelotti noted the player’s historical contributions to Brazilian football, remarking, “Neymar has made, and continues to make, history in Brazilian football. He is a great talent, and it’s natural for people to believe he can assist us in winning the next World Cup.”

Recent Recoveries and Performances

In December 2023, Neymar underwent minor surgery on his left knee and later had another procedure in early April 2024 during an international break. Ancelotti mentioned that Neymar’s recovery has shown promising signs. “After his knee injury in December, Neymar has made a good recovery,” he commented. According to the coach, the forward has been scoring goals and is encouraged to continue improving his overall fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Although he missed two matches with Santos, Neymar featured fully during the club’s recent 1-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro. Santos coach Cuca acknowledged Neymar’s improvement, noting, “Neymar is improving with every game” and commended his dedication in training sessions. The coach also mentioned that Neymar was engaging in additional training to further enhance his performance, highlighting that his movements with the ball are getting better. Cuca expressed caution regarding Neymar’s ability to play a full match, stating a decision would be made based on his readiness for upcoming fixtures.

Overall, Neymar’s journey back to fitness appears to be on a positive trajectory as he aims for participation in a significant international tournament. With the World Cup approaching, both Ancelotti and fans remain hopeful about his contributions to the Brazilian national team.

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