When Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior stepped off the pitch at Vila Belmiro last weekend, his face told the story before a word was spoken — clenched jaw, clenched fists, eyes locked on the ground. The 33-year-old legend, once the face of Brazilian football, had just been substituted in a 2-1 win for Santos FC, not because he was injured — but because he was visibly frustrated. And that’s the problem now. Not just the knee, not just the hamstring, but the doubt. Doubt from his manager. Doubt from his captain. Doubt from fans who remember the boy who carried Santos to glory, and now wonder if he’s carrying his own legacy into a graveyard.
The Ancelotti Dilemma
Carlo Ancelotti, the 65-year-old Italian tactician appointed as Brazil’s head coach in 2024, has made his stance clear: fitness isn’t optional. Neymar hasn’t been called up since Ancelotti took over. Not for the September friendlies. Not for the October qualifiers. And at the heart of it, Ancelotti’s message is simple: you can’t play if you can’t train. The coach’s exact words, as reported by CBS Sports Golazo on November 10, 2025, were cut off mid-sentence — but the implication was unmistakable: “When Neymar is in good physical condition, he has the...” — and then silence. The silence spoke louder than any full quote. The numbers don’t lie. Neymar has 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil — second only to Pelé. But in 2025, he’s played just 11 matches for Santos. Three of them were partial outings due to cramps. One ended in a stretcher. He’s missed three consecutive games entirely. And now, according to Globo, he’s ignoring medical advice that says he needs until December 31, 2025, to recover from a new ligament strain — a setback that would rule him out of the final stretch of the Brasileirão 2025 season.The Captain’s Warning
Marquinhos, Brazil’s 30-year-old captain and PSG stalwart, didn’t mince words in a November 28 interview. “We need players who are ready to fight for 90 minutes,” he said. “Neymar is a genius. But genius doesn’t win tournaments if it’s on the bench in the 70th minute.” Marquinhos, who’s played every minute of Brazil’s last five qualifiers, understands the weight of expectation. He’s seen what happens when stars show up half-fit — and how it drags the whole team down. And then there’s Michael Lahoud, the CBS analyst and former MLS midfielder. At the 6:13 mark of the November 10 report, he delivered the most damning assessment: “I do not think he should be there. Physically, Neymar simply can’t get himself to an appropriate level. He hasn’t been able to do so for Santos.” That’s not opinion — that’s observation. And it’s echoed by coaches across Brazil’s youth system, who’ve quietly started preparing for life without him.
The Rising Star
Enter Estêvão Willian Almeida de Oliveira. Eighteen years old. Six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for Chelsea FC. Lightning quick. Fearless. And already being called “the future” by Brazilian media. His rise isn’t just a coincidence — it’s a reckoning. “Without Neymar, there’s no Jingga,” one pundit said on the CBS report, referencing the Brazilian slang for “magic.” But now, the magic has a new name. Estêvão doesn’t need to be Neymar. He just needs to be himself — and he’s already doing that on the biggest stage in club football. His speed, his dribbling, his composure under pressure — it’s the same DNA, just younger, fresher, and injury-free. Ancelotti has said he’s watching “the next generation” closely. That’s code. He’s not just scouting. He’s preparing.The Last Chance
The 2026 FIFA World Cup — hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — is Neymar’s final shot. He’s played in three tournaments. Won nothing. Lost in the quarterfinals twice. The weight of expectation is crushing. In Brazil, a player isn’t judged by talent alone. He’s judged by trophies. He’s not just fighting for a roster spot. He’s fighting for his legacy. But here’s the twist: the world doesn’t wait. The game doesn’t pause. And Brazil’s footballing identity is shifting — from individual brilliance to collective rhythm. Ancelotti’s Brazil isn’t about one man carrying the team. It’s about balance. Speed. Depth. And right now, Neymar’s body can’t keep up.
What’s Next?
The final squad announcement for the 2026 World Cup is due in late May 2026. Neymar has until then — about six months — to prove he can train consistently, play 90 minutes without limping, and lead by example. Santos’s remaining fixtures are brutal: Flamengo, Palmeiras, Corinthians. If he can’t even dominate the Brasileirão, how will he dominate the World Cup? Meanwhile, Estêvão will be playing for Chelsea in the Champions League. He’ll be watched by scouts from every top European club — and by Ancelotti’s staff. One strong performance in March could seal the deal. Neymar’s name still lights up stadiums. His highlights still trend on social media. But football is no longer a sentimental sport. It’s a results business. And the results, right now, aren’t on his side.Frequently Asked Questions
Can Neymar still make Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad despite his injuries?
It’s possible, but unlikely. Ancelotti has made it clear that fitness is non-negotiable. Neymar has missed multiple games this season and is reportedly ignoring medical advice that would sideline him until December 2025. To be selected, he’d need to return to full training by late February 2026, play at least five competitive matches, and show he can withstand high-intensity play — a tall order given his injury history.
Why is Estêvão such a threat to Neymar’s place on the team?
Estêvão isn’t just a talented youngster — he’s already performing at the highest level in the Premier League with Chelsea. At 18, he’s faster, fitter, and less injury-prone than Neymar. He doesn’t need to replicate Neymar’s style; he just needs to be effective. Ancelotti values versatility and consistency, and Estêvão offers both without the risk of a 33-year-old body breaking down mid-tournament.
How does Neymar’s situation compare to past Brazilian stars who stayed too long?
It echoes the 2010 World Cup, when Ronaldo, then 33, was included despite limited match fitness — and Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals. In 2018, Fernandinho carried the midfield at 32, but his role was defensive, not creative. Neymar’s role as the primary attacking threat is far more physically demanding. The lesson from history? Age isn’t the issue — fitness and function are.
What’s at stake for Brazil if Neymar is left out?
Beyond the emotional impact, Brazil loses a proven finisher in tight games — but gains tactical flexibility. With Estêvão, Vinícius Júnior, and Endrick, the team can press higher, switch flanks faster, and rely less on one player to create everything. Ancelotti’s system thrives on movement, not individual brilliance. Leaving Neymar out could signal a new era — one less burdened by nostalgia.
Is Neymar’s return to Santos a smart move for his World Cup chances?
It’s questionable. Santos plays in a physically demanding league, but with lower intensity and fewer high-stakes matches than Europe. Neymar’s best chance to prove fitness would’ve been playing in the Premier League or La Liga — where the pace and physicality mirror the World Cup. Returning to Brazil may have been sentimental, but it’s not tactical. He’s not facing the kind of defenders he’ll see in June 2026.
What happens if Neymar is selected but gets injured during the World Cup?
It would be a disaster — not just for Brazil’s campaign, but for Ancelotti’s credibility. The team’s depth in attack is strong, but replacing a player of Neymar’s stature mid-tournament would force tactical chaos. If he’s selected, he’ll be under a microscope. Every touch, every sprint, every substitution will be scrutinized. And if he goes down again, the backlash could eclipse even the 2014 semifinal loss.
Debsmita Santra
November 29, 2025 AT 23:27Neymar’s legacy isn’t just about goals or trophies it’s about the way he made people feel when he danced past defenders like they were standing still
But football’s changed now it’s not about magic it’s about minutes played and recovery protocols
Ancelotti’s not being cruel he’s being responsible
The kid Estêvão isn’t replacing him he’s evolving the game
And honestly if Neymar can’t even train consistently for Santos how’s he gonna survive a World Cup knockout stage
It’s not about age it’s about durability
And right now durability is the one thing he’s running out of