Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided not to use Neymar's services for the friendly matches that will be held in March.
Idman.Biz reports with reference to ESPN that Ancelotti is not considering including Neymar in the squad for the matches against France and Croatia in the USA in March. The Italian expert prioritizes the player's physical condition over his name before the 2026 World Championship (WC-2026).
According to the information, Ancelotti stated that the 34-year-old striker has not yet fully recovered from a long-term injury. The head coach's requirement for the star football player is clear: Elite physical performance. Although Neymar's technical qualities are not a matter of discussion, it is important for him to gain rhythm at the club level in order to be included in the final squad to be announced in May.
Currently, the coaching staff's main focus is on filling gaps in defense rather than attack. In particular, identifying replacements for wing defenders, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes is a priority.
If Neymar does not meet the physical and technical requirements, he may lose the chance to participate in his fourth World Championship in his career.