Brazilian legend Ronaldo has urged national team coach Carlo Ancelotti to recall Neymar as preparations build for next year’s World Cup in North America.
Neymar has been absent from the Selecao since October 2023, when he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in a qualifier against Uruguay. Now 33, the forward is back at Santos—his boyhood club—after an injury-hit stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and he’s been featuring regularly on the pitch.
Even so, Ancelotti has yet to include him in any of his squads since taking charge, a decision that has fueled debate among fans and pundits. Ronaldo made his stance clear, insisting Neymar’s return is crucial.
“He is a decisive player for Brazil. We don’t have another like him,” Ronaldo said during an event in São Paulo. “The people hope 100 per cent that he goes to the World Cup. With him, the team will definitely have better results than without him.”
Neymar’s career has been marked by brilliance and setbacks in equal measure. Injuries have interrupted his rhythm time and again—he missed the Copa America triumph in 2019, played just five matches for Al Hilal before his long layoff, and managed only two more appearances before returning home to Brazil.
For now, Ancelotti has been cautious, stressing that Neymar must reach full fitness before being considered. Back in September, he explained: “He needs to be in better shape to help the team and give his best at the World Cup.”
