Brazil's inclusion of Neymar in squad for FIFA World Cup must not impede Vinicius Jr., younger stars
Brazil has been without legendary No. 10 Neymar for three years since he tore his ACL. But he'll be there for the World Cup, hopefully in a secondary role.
Brazil's inclusion of Neymar in squad for FIFA World Cup must not impede Vinicius Jr. , younger stars originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The last time Neymar appeared in a Brazil uniform, well, at least it was a classic Brazil uniform. Sunshine yellow jersey, deep blue shorts, what that team always should look like. That was the only thing about the moment he might wish to remember.
On that occasion, in an early World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, he tore the ACL in his left knee while attempting to avoid a defender’s challenge. That cost him more than a year of club soccer, and it clearly loosened his grip on a national team that revolved almost entirely around him as recently as four years ago. That moment seemed like it might have finished him, but it did not.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup revealed Monday included the 34-year-old playmaker, an announcement that drew such a resounding cheer from the assembled audience, there was an interruption in the presentation that lasted close to a minute. 2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets Neymar has made just eight appearances for Santos in Brazil’s Serie A but has been playing regularly since early April. There can be a value to his presence, but if he’s more than a substitute or emergency replacement, Ancelotti risks encountering the same issues as his recent predecessors.
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