Neymar Jr is part of Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, but due to fitness-related issues, he has featured only once in this year’s tournament for the five-time champions. The 34-year-old footballer,
who tops the list of Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorers in international football, came off the bench for the final 14 minutes during Brazil’s third Group C match against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 24.
During his short spell on the pitch, he created three chances for his Brazilian teammates, but despite an impressive start, he failed to earn a place in Brazil’s starting XI for their Round of 32 match against Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 29. In fact, in the match that Brazil won 2-1, he didn’t come off the bench either for the South American giants.
Neymar’s non-participation in Brazil’s first knockout match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 raised questions over his fitness, but Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he did not feature due to tactical reasons.
Days after Ancelotti stated that Neymar was not involved in the match against Japan due to tactical reasons, he revealed that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is not happy with his role in Brazil’s campaign at this year’s tournament.
According to Ancelotti, who is aiming to win his first FIFA World Cup as head coach in 2026, Neymar is unhappy that he has had such a limited role at the World Cup. But he has handled the situation professionally and remains a positive influence within the squad.
“He’s not satisfied, but he’s behaving very well. He’s training very well. Neymar is very respectful, kind, and loved by his teammates,” Ancelotti told Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
“He’s an important figure in the team because he has quality and he’s a very humble person. I’m very happy with him. And, obviously, he wants to play, like he always has,” he added.
According to Ancelotti, Neymar is now capable of playing a full match, easing doubts over his fitness.
“The important thing is that he can play. No one knows how long he will play. He has the experience to manage his minutes in the game and the tempo. When I see that the team needs him, I’ll put him on (the pitch),” said the Italian.
