Neymar’s World Cup Hopes Dim After Subdued Performance

São Paulo — Neymar’s chances of featuring at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have become increasingly uncertain following a lackluster performance for Santos in a 1-1 draw against Corinthians on Sunday. The match served as his final opportunity to impress Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti before the announcement of the squad for upcoming friendly matches.

Recent Performance and Ancelotti’s Squad Announcement

The draw at Vila Belmiro Stadium marked Neymar’s last game before Ancelotti reveals his squad for key friendlies on Monday. Brazil will face France and Croatia in the United States as part of preparations for the World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19. ESPN reports that Neymar acknowledged after the match that his inclusion is not solely within his control.

Match Details and Neymar’s Role

Corinthians opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a goal from Memphis Depay, while Gabriel Barbosa equalized for Santos just four minutes later. Yahoo Sports detailed that Neymar’s performance was subdued, with his best chance coming from a second-half header that narrowly missed the goal. He struggled with dribbling and did not register a shot on goal.

Injury Concerns and Recovery

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has been working his way back to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury in October 2023, followed by another knee surgery in December. ESPN notes that he has played in less than 10 matches for Santos this year. Despite showing flashes of his former brilliance, including scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama in February, concerns remain about his match fitness.

Ancelotti’s Stance on Player Selection

Coach Ancelotti has stated he will only select players who are 100% fit for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, he has also indicated that some players may not require extensive testing, potentially keeping Neymar’s hopes alive even if he is not immediately included in the squad for the upcoming friendlies.

Recent Absence and Potential Impact

Neymar’s decision to miss a recent match against Mirassol has raised concerns among fans and media, with reports suggesting Ancelotti was not informed of his absence until shortly before the game. ESPN highlighted that this could further jeopardize his chances of securing a spot in his fourth consecutive World Cup.

“I wish to go back to the national team and play in the World Cup, but that’s not up to me,” Neymar told journalists after the match, expressing his desire to represent Brazil while acknowledging the final decision rests with the coach.