Brazil Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar won’t make his return to the national team, bringing the forward’s international; career closer to a definitive conclusion. Neymar officially retired from international football following Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He played his first game for Brazil on August 10, 2010, in a friendly against the United States at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
He finished as Brazil’s all-time top scorer and recently in an interview with CNN Brasil, Ancelotti revealed that the final decision came from Neymar himself. “Neymar deserved to be part of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, thanks to his unique abilities,” he said. “Neymar deserved to go to the World Cup. He cannot be replaced, he is a one-of-a-kind player thanks to his abilities,” he added.
Brazil Look Forward to Building New Team Beyond Neymar
While Neymar is no longer a part of Brazil’s plans, Ancelotti said that the team is now looking towards the next generation of players as he is preparing the team for the 2030 World Cup cycle. “We have young players born in 2008 who possess a lot of quality, and they are not playing yet, but they are capable of playing. Now is the right time to monitor them, taking into account their ages as well. It is true that a player can deliver a very good level even at the age of 36 or 37. But now is the right time to give priority to young players,” he said.
“The Olympic Games are extremely important, as is the Copa América. We have to follow these young players throughout the stages of their development, because a player’s club objectives do not always match those of the Brazil national team,” he added.
In their upcoming assignments, Brazil will be up against Australia in two friendlies on September 25 and 29, before clashing against India on October 3.
