Neymar Battles Injuries as Carlo Ancelotti Demands 100% Fitness for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Carlo Ancelotti’s stance as Brazil’s national team coach became even clearer during his latest appearance on Brazilian television. The Italian made it explicit that, heading toward the World Cup, talent alone will not be enough to secure a roster spot. Not even legends like Neymar or Vinícius Júnior have a guaranteed place.

Ancelotti insisted that he will only select players who arrive in full physical condition — with zero exceptions for star power or historical impact. His message, which quickly went viral, summed up his selection policy with a blunt standard: “They must be at 100%. There are many very good players — I need to choose those who are at 100%.”

That statement functions as a direct warning to every Brazilian attacker dreaming of a ticket to 2026. The Neymar case is especially sensitive, as his recent years have been shaped by heavy injuries and long periods of inactivity. Since tearing his ACL against Uruguay in October 2023, he still hasn’t played a single official match for Brazil. In the current cycle, he hasn’t featured in any of Ancelotti’s call-ups.

Still, the coach is not dismissing Neymar — but he is raising the bar. On the former Barcelona and PSG forward, Ancelotti mixed praise with challenge: “Neymar has incredible talent, but injuries have not allowed him to prepare physically.” His point is simple: today, Neymar stands at the same starting line as everyone else. He must prove — consistently — that he can sustain top-level fitness for months.

The comments toward Vinícius Júnior carried the same weight. Ancelotti was equally strict: “If Vinícius is at 90%, I will call another player who is at 100%.” With so much depth in Brazil’s attacking pool, there is no room for partial fitness or compromised form.

Brazil currently boasts an elite offensive lineup: Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Endrick, Yuri Alberto, Savinho, and other rising stars. For Ancelotti, this abundance gives him the freedom to choose based on guaranteed performance — not headlines or nostalgia. The green-and-yellow shirt must be earned in the now, not by reputation.

His philosophy also reflects a broader shift in modern football, where selection decisions rely on data analytics, medical monitoring, recovery metrics, and long-term workload management. After years of pivotal injuries harming major campaigns, top federations — including Brazil’s — are adopting a science-first approach. In that system, even iconic names can miss the cut if they fail the physical demands.

For Neymar, time is now as dangerous as any opposing defender. He must deliver months of uninterrupted play, stable health, and convincing impact if he wants to be on the World Cup flight. Ancelotti’s message remains unchanged: only players at absolute peak fitness will make the final squad — and that is the new standard for Brazil’s return to genuine title contention.