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The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is already underway, and Brazil is starting to sharpen its plans below Carlo Ancelotti. The Selecao have sealed their spot among the many 48 groups, with warm-up matches towards South Korea and Japan set for October. But one obvious absence stays: Neymar has nonetheless not performed a single recreation for Brazil since Ancelotti took cost.
The Santos ahead, as soon as the undisputed centerpiece of the nationwide workforce, continues to be sidelined. Whereas Vinicius has returned to the squad, Neymar’s identify is nowhere to be discovered. His damage report has saved followers guessing—and now, the thriller deepens as his long-awaited return edges nearer however stays out of instant attain.
Ancelotti has constructed his newest squad round a mix of expertise and youth. The Italian coach introduced the group for the October friendlies in Rio de Janeiro, confirming that Brazil will face South Korea in Seoul on October 10 and Japan in Tokyo on October 14.
“I need him to be very well to have the ability to play. He can take part within the World Cup if he’s bodily nicely. From a technical standpoint, there isn’t any dialogue. His goal have to be to be prepared in June,” the skilled supervisor mentioned about Neymar in feedback reported by Globo Esporte.
Nonetheless, the 33-year-old’s omission from yet one more squad solely fuels questions. It has been almost two years since he final represented Brazil, again in October 2023, when he suffered a devastating ACL tear towards Uruguay throughout World Cup qualifying. Since then, the star who as soon as dazzled at Barcelona and PSG has been combating his approach again in suits and begins.
Neymar’s return timeline confirmed
Though Neymar made his long-awaited return to Santos earlier this yr, his comeback has been something however easy. The 33-year-old has been stricken by recurring muscle accidents, limiting him to simply 21 appearances and 6 objectives in 2025.
The most recent blow got here in mid-September, when he suffered a tear in his proper thigh muscle throughout coaching. The Peixe’s president, Marcelo Teixeira, confirmed that his restoration will maintain him sidelined for weeks. “Neymar remains to be present process rehabilitation after struggling a femoral muscle tear and can solely return within the last rounds of the Brazilian championship,” he informed reporters, as quoted by Lance!.
That timeline means the ahead won’t be obtainable till November, on the earliest, leaving Santos with out its talisman in a decisive stretch of the season.
Neymar damage
Santos struggling with out its star
Neymar’s absence couldn’t come at a worse time for Santos. The Sao Paulo membership is locked in a determined battle to keep away from relegation. Following a 1-1 draw with Gremio, Santos sits simply 5 factors above the drop zone. The strain is immense, and with out its marquee participant, survival turns into a far larger problem.
The hope is that Neymar can return in time for the ultimate fixtures of the season, scheduled for December 6 and seven. These matches may decide whether or not Santos, one among Brazil’s most historic golf equipment, stays within the prime flight.
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