Neymar’s Road to Recovery and World Cup Aspirations

Neymar holds the distinction of being his country’s all-time leading scorer, with an impressive tally of 79 goals from 128 appearances. However, he has not donned Brazil’s iconic yellow jersey since October 2023, when he sustained knee ligament damage during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay.

Following that injury, Neymar embarked on a lengthy recovery journey, leading to the termination of his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. This decision allowed him to return to his boyhood club, Santos, in search of revitalization.

Unfortunately, continued fitness challenges have hindered the 33-year-old playmaker from showcasing his abilities to coach Carlo Ancelotti, resulting in his exclusion from Brazil’s squad for an upcoming friendly against Tunisia in Lille, France.

As expected, Ancelotti has faced numerous inquiries regarding Neymar’s potential inclusion in his plans. Upon realizing that discussions surrounding Neymar had extended beyond Brazil to a global audience, he remarked: “I thought Neymar was just a topic in Brazil, but I see it’s a global issue. Fortunately, he has recovered from his injury. Now he has six months to play. The Brazilian Championship concludes on December 7, after which he can take a vacation, but then he will have the Brazilian Championship again to demonstrate his quality and physical condition.”

Ancelotti further indicated that Neymar remains on his radar for World Cup consideration, although he emphasized the importance of prudence in finalizing a squad capable of competing for global honors in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

He stated: “Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now he has six months to make the final list. We just have to observe him and other players to avoid mistakes in the final roster.”

Expressing his desire to see Neymar thrive at Santos in his preferred central playmaking role, Ancelotti commented: “I know everyone wants Neymar to regain his best physical condition. The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), the coach, and the technical staff of the national team hope for his return to peak form. Today’s football demands more than just talent; it requires physical condition and intensity. Hopefully, Neymar will reach his best level.”

Ancelotti believes that Neymar should play more centrally, rather than as a winger, stating: “Wingers in today’s football must contribute defensively as well. Playing centrally reduces the defensive burden and allows a talent like Neymar to be closer to goal, creating more scoring opportunities. A ‘false 9’ position could be ideal for him.”

Since returning from his latest injury, Neymar has made three appearances, with the most recent resulting in a stunning victory over Palmeiras, which has helped elevate Santos from the relegation zone. Despite ongoing issues with thigh injuries, he has managed to record six goals and three assists over 24 appearances this season. More will be needed to win Ancelotti’s favor, especially as his contract approaches free agency. Speculation abounds regarding a potential reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at MLS team Inter Miami, hinting at the possibility of reigniting Barcelona’s legendary ‘MSN’ strike force.