SANTOS:
Neymar will miss Santos’ Brazilian Championship match towards Mirassol on Tuesday with lingering muscle fatigue, dealing a recent blow to the ahead’s hopes of forcing his manner again into Brazil’s squad forward of the World Cup.
Santos stated Neymar’s absence was precautionary however the timing is awkward, with Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti having organised a visit from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to look at the 34-year-old in motion.
Sources linked to the Brazilian FA (CBF) and the nationwide workforce’s technical committee instructed Reuters Neymar’s omission from Tuesday’s match was met with shock and frustration by the CBF and Ancelotti, who had hoped to evaluate the quantity 10 up shut.
Ancelotti has made it clear he’ll solely choose gamers who’re totally match and can meet Brazil’s bodily calls for. Lacking Tuesday’s match may value Neymar a spot within the nationwide workforce squad being introduced on March 16 for friendlies towards France and Croatia on March 26 and 31.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time main scorer with 79 objectives in 128 appearances, has not performed for his nation since October 2023, when he suffered critical knee ligament accidents which have hampered his comeback.
Since returning to boyhood membership Santos from Saudi Arabia in January 2025, he has proven flashes of his previous kind however has struggled to string collectively a constant run of matches.
Brazil’s attacking choices embody a number of in-form gamers resembling Vinicius Jr, Estevao, Raphinha, Joao Pedro, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Jesus and Matheus Cunha.
Ancelotti will proceed along with his go to to keep away from the impression that he was simply going to see Neymar, though that was the principal purpose for travelling.
Neymar is anticipated to be obtainable for Sunday’s match towards Corinthians at Vila Belmiro. Nevertheless, Ancelotti will attend Botafogo v Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro that day, along with his assistant coaches assigned to observe the Corinthians recreation.
Time appears to be operating out for Neymar with Brazil set to make their closing World Cup call-up in Might, with the finals being held in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. from June 11 to July 19.
