{"id":17722,"date":"2026-04-15T11:52:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=17722"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:52:18","slug":"the-neymar-dilemma-should-ancelotti-gamble-on-brazils-prodigal-son","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/world-cup\/the-neymar-dilemma-should-ancelotti-gamble-on-brazils-prodigal-son\/","title":{"rendered":"The Neymar Dilemma: Should Ancelotti Gamble on Brazil’s Prodigal Son?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the 2026 North American World Cup<\/strong><\/a> just two months away, Brazil<\/a> manager Carlo Ancelotti<\/a> is wrestling with the ultimate managerial headache. The question isn’t tactical; it’s existential. Does Neymar<\/a> still belong in the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The situation is so fraught that Ancelotti even sought counsel from the highest office in the land.<\/sup> In a recent YouTube broadcast, Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva revealed the Italian manager directly asked him: “Do you think I should select Neymar for the World Cup squad?”<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lula\u2019s public response captured the nation\u2019s conflicted heart perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Neymar has not aged yet and can still play for the national team, but he must abandon the idea of going just because of his ‘name value’.<\/sup> He must prove his worth on the pitch.<\/sup> He should take players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi as role models.”<\/sup> \u2014 President Lula da Silva<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"SAO
(Photo by Miguel Schincariol\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Return to Vila Belmiro: Sparks and Friction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neymar\u2019s return to Santos<\/a> earlier this year was meant to be a romantic homecoming \u2014 a chance to rebuild his match fitness after a devastating knee injury derailed his stint at Al Hilal<\/a>. Instead, it has been a pressure cooker.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"SANTOS,
(Photo by Marco Buenavista\/Sports Press Photo\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The boiling point arrived during a recent Copa Sul-Americana <\/a>match against Paraguayan side Deportivo Recoleta<\/a>. Played on Santos’ anniversary, the script was laid out perfectly, and Neymar even opened the scoring in the 4th minute. But a 1-1 draw against a reserve-heavy Recoleta side triggered furious boos from the Vila Belmiro crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameras caught an exasperated Neymar confronting a heckling supporter near the tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You’re right. You’re right. Are you happy?”<\/em> Neymar fired back. “Am I spoiled? I give my life here, brother.”<\/em> Adding fuel to the fire, Neymar recently faced severe backlash for a controversial remark aimed at referee S\u00e1vio Pereira Sampaio during a Brazilian S\u00e9rie A<\/a> match. Neymar sarcastically told the official he must have woken up in a “chico”<\/em> state (a derogatory slang term). Despite a public apology claiming ignorance of the word’s origin, the incident only heightened the debate around his maturity and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Santos'
(Photo by Miguel SCHINCARIOL \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The May 18 Deadline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite the domestic turbulence, Ancelotti hasn’t closed the door.<\/sup> The Italian tactician heavily values Neymar’s undeniable footballing intellect and his status as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer (79 goals in 128 caps).<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking recently to L’\u00c9quipe<\/em>, Ancelotti struck a cautiously optimistic tone regarding his number 10’s physical recovery:<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Neymar is on the right path.<\/sup> He must continue this way and improve his condition.<\/sup> He is capable of returning to 100% fitness.”<\/em><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"MIAMI,
. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Key Dates for Brazil<\/strong><\/td>Event<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
April 28, 2026<\/strong><\/td>Santos vs. San Lorenzo<\/a> (Neymar’s next major Sul-Americana test)<\/td><\/tr>
May 18, 2026<\/strong><\/td>Ancelotti announces final World Cup squad<\/td><\/tr>
June 13, 2026<\/strong><\/td>Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ancelotti’s dilemma boils down to a risk-reward calculation. Can a manager notoriously reliant on squad harmony afford the circus that follows Neymar? On the other hand, in a tight World Cup knockout match against a low block, can Brazil afford to leave their most naturally gifted creator at home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, the clock is ticking. Neymar has precisely one month to convince Ancelotti \u2014 and perhaps himself \u2014 that he is ready for one last dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Neymar<\/a> is relying purely on nostalgia to punch his ticket to North America, he’s in for a rude awakening. Carlo Ancelotti isn’t lacking firepower; his true dilemma is figuring out who to leave behind.<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While superstars like Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior<\/a> and Raphinha have their wing spots practically locked down, the battle for the central and versatile forward roles is an absolute bloodbath. Here is the fierce competition standing between Neymar and his fourth World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"AL
(Photo by Michael Steele\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Premier League Heavyweights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The English top flight has become the ultimate proving ground for Brazil’s modern attackers, and three names are making serious noise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n