JAKARTA – Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar must compete with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha to earn a place in the Brazil National Team (Timnas) when competing in the 2026 World Cup.
The Santos striker missed the two warm-up matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup – a 6-2 win against Panama at the Maracana (June 1, 2026) and a 2-1 against Egypt on June 7, 2026.
Neymar’s injury also makes him doubtful to appear in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco on June 13, 2026.
However, even though his status is that of a Brazilian golden child, Neymar did not immediately get a place in the main team as soon as he was fit.
“Neymar has to play in the position he should play. He will play in the middle of the field. He can’t play on the wing.”
“He will not play as a winger. He will play in the middle of the field, as a striker or attacking midfielder, in one of those positions.”
“That’s the position that Vinicius (Junior) and Raphinha play,” Ancelotti said.
The 34-year-old is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. However, injuries have limited him to playing for the Samba Team since October 2023 when he suffered an ACL injury while defending his country.
Despite having been plagued by injuries and struggling to reach full fitness, he was called up by Ancelotti to strengthen Brazil at the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 2026 World Cup marks his fourth World Cup appearance in his career.
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