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Is Neymar Really Missing Out on the 2026 World Cup? A Former Champion Raises the Question

By Editorial Team
Friday, April 10, 2026
5 min read
Neymar in a Brazil jersey, looking focused during a match
Neymar training ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Luizão questions Neymar's hunger for 2026 World Cup as Carlo Ancelotti cites fitness problems, while Neymar vows to prove himself after Croatia 2022 heartbreak.

Carlo Ancelotti’s take on Neymar’s fitness

Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian tactician who now steers Brazil, has been quite clear. He pointed to Neymar’s lack of fitness as the real stumbling block. According to Carlo Ancelotti, "The decision is simple – Neymar will only be reconsidered for the squad once he shows he is fully match‑ready." It’s a typical coach’s line, the kind you hear in Indian football clubs when a player shows up late for training. The message is plain: the door stays shut until you bring the right keys.

But what does "match‑ready" actually mean? In the Indian context, think of a schoolboy who missed the morning jog for a week and suddenly expects to run the 5‑kilometer race without sweating. It’s a similar scenario. Neymar has been nursing a niggling injury for months, and while his talent is undeniable, Carlo Ancelotti wants to avoid the risk of another heartbreaking penalty miss like the one against Croatia.

Neymar’s promise to fight back

Neymar, on his personal YouTube channel, told his fans, "I will give everything I have, even my blood, to earn my place for the World Cup in June." It felt like a promise a young wrestler in Hyderabad would make before a big bout – a mix of bravado and genuine determination. He recalled the pain of the 2022 penalty shoot‑out loss to Croatia, saying, "In my head, the fifth penalty is the most terrifying. When I stepped up, I felt as if I was dying."

That raw honesty reminded me of the way Indian cricketers talk after a close defeat – they don’t hide their fear, they own it. Neymar’s words resonated because they showed a side we rarely see: the star who is also a scared human being, haunted by a moment that still stings.

Luizão’s comparison with Ronaldo Nazário

Luizão didn’t stop at pointing fingers. He drew a direct comparison between Neymar and his former teammate Ronaldo Nazário, the legendary striker who overcame multiple serious injuries to lift the 2002 World Cup trophy. "Ronaldo wanted the World Cup so badly that he fought back from injuries and played a crucial role in winning it," Luizão said during his interview on *World Champion With Galvao* on *N Sports*. "Neymar, on the other hand, seems to lack that same fire."

Now, think of a school alumni meet where a former topper returns to motivate the current batch. If the topper shows up with bruises but still delivers a speech, the crowd goes wild. Luizão expects Neymar to do the same – to come back battered but ready to inspire.

Brazil’s road to the 2026 World Cup

Brazil is set to announce their final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in May. Ahead of that, they will play friendlies against Panama and Egypt, before kicking off their Group C campaign against Morocco. The schedule is reminiscent of Indian domestic cricket’s tour matches, where a team fine‑tunes its line‑up before the big series.

These friendly matches will be crucial for those on the fringe, including Neymar, to showcase their fitness. The stakes are high – just as a school student’s grade hinges on a final exam after a series of quizzes.

Personal reflections – why this matters to me

Living in Mumbai, I have seen how a single player's decision can spark an entire city’s mood. When a popular cricketer retires or a Bollywood star faces controversy, the streets seem to whisper about it. Neymar’s situation feels similar. If he decides to give his all and makes it back, the Brazilian fans will celebrate like we do during a milestone cricket win – fireworks, chants, street parties. If he doesn’t, there will be a sigh, a collective disappointment that lingers like the after‑taste of a too‑spicy curry.

Moreover, this whole debate mirrors many of our own experiences. In Indian families, we often hear the older generation question the younger one’s commitment – “Are you really ready for the job? Will you put in the effort?” Luizão’s doubts about Neymar feels exactly like my uncle asking my cousin if he’s serious about preparing for the engineering entrance exam. It’s a mix of concern, expectation, and a little bit of envy.

What could happen next?

There are three possible outcomes from here. First, Neymar could push his fitness to the max, prove he is match‑ready, and earn his spot – turning Luizão’s criticism into a story of redemption. Second, he might take a step back, accept that his body needs time, and focus on club football, which could lead to a quiet end to his World Cup dream. Third, Luizão might reconsider his stance, realizing maybe his own words were harsher than intended, and offer Neymar moral support.

In any case, the upcoming friendlies will act like the trial runs in a kitchen before a big dinner service. The performances, the injuries, the trainer’s feedback – all will determine whether Neymar’s name appears in the final 23‑man list.

Conclusion – the human side behind the headlines

At the end of the day, this whole saga is not just about football tactics or a coach’s selection policy; it’s about a star grappling with his own doubts, a veteran champion expressing concern, and a nation waiting with bated breath. It reminds me of the stories we see on Indian television – the underdog rising, the champion falling, the drama in between.

Whether Neymar makes it to the 2026 World Cup or not, the conversation sparked by Luizão and Carlo Ancelotti has already added another chapter to Brazil’s rich football folklore. And as fans, we’ll keep watching, cheering, and sometimes complaining, just like we do when our favourite cricketer faces a slump.

Content adapted and expanded for a conversational Indian English perspective.
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