- Nov 24, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Brazil forward Neymar (10) during the second half in a group stage match against Serbia during the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Is this The End Of Neymar’s International Career?

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 8:16 AM ET

For more than a decade, Neymar has been the face of Brazilian football. He has carried the weight of a nation’s expectations since making his debut as a teenager, dazzling crowds with his flair and becoming one of the country’s top scorers of all time. Yet this week, his international career was dealt another blow. Carlo Ancelotti announced Brazil’s squad for the final two World Cup qualifying matches, and Neymar’s name was not on the list.

The decision came despite Neymar’s recovery from a long injury layoff. The forward had been working his way back to match fitness after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in October 2023, a setback that forced him to miss almost two full years of international football. Supporters expected him to be eased back into the squad, especially with Brazil already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Instead, Ancelotti made it clear that Neymar would not feature in September’s games against Chile and Bolivia.

The omission has left fans divided. Some believe Neymar is being protected from unnecessary risk, while others see this as a sign that Brazil is beginning to move on from their once-untouchable star.

Ancelotti Explains the Decision

Ancelotti was direct when asked about Neymar’s absence. He revealed that the forward had picked up a minor muscle issue in training with Santos just a week earlier. In his view, it made little sense to risk Neymar in matches that are not critical. Brazil has already secured its ticket to the next World Cup, and the Italian coach stressed that only players in peak condition should take the field.

“We do not need to test Neymar. Everyone knows him,” Ancelotti told reporters in Rio de Janeiro. “Like every other player, he has to be fully fit to help the national team perform at the highest level.”

Those words were telling. Neymar is no longer guaranteed a place in the side simply because of his name. Ancelotti has built his squad around a mixture of seasoned professionals such as Alisson, Casemiro, and Marquinhos, as well as younger talents including Chelsea’s Estêvão and Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge. The coach appears more focused on preparing the next generation than clinging to old icons.

What This Means for Neymar’s International Career

The bigger question is whether this exclusion signals something more permanent. Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023. His absence has stretched close to two years, during which time Brazil has learned to function without him. Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Raphinha have all shouldered attacking responsibility, while new faces continue to emerge.

At 33 years of age, Neymar still has the ability to influence matches, but his body has become a concern. Frequent injuries have eroded his rhythm and robbed him of consistent form. When fit, he remains among the most creative attackers in world football. Yet international managers demand reliability, and Brazil can no longer depend on him to be present every time the Seleção needs him.

If Neymar cannot put together a sustained period of fitness before the 2026 World Cup, his role in the squad could shrink even further. Ancelotti has made it clear that reputation alone will not be enough to secure a place in the team. Brazil is evolving, and while Neymar remains part of the conversation, he is no longer its central figure.

A Nation at a Crossroads

For Brazil, the dilemma is emotional as well as tactical. Neymar is still adored by millions of fans, and his record speaks for itself. He is the joint all-time top scorer for the national team, standing alongside legends such as Pelé. To see him fade out of the international picture without a proper farewell would feel cruel to many supporters who have celebrated his journey since 2010.

However, international football can be ruthless. Coaches build squads on form, fitness, and tactical balance. The reality is that Brazil has a wealth of attacking options who are younger, sharper, and hungrier. Players like Endrick, Estêvão, and Vinícius represent the future, and Ancelotti appears intent on giving them the stage.

Neymar’s international career is not officially over. Ancelotti has left the door open, insisting that if Neymar can return to full health, he could still play an important role. Yet the message is unmistakable. To wear the yellow shirt again, Neymar must prove he is ready both physically and mentally.

Final Thoughts

This week’s squad announcement may not have been intended as a farewell, but it has forced football fans around the world to consider the possibility. Neymar is facing the harsh reality that his days as the automatic centerpiece of Brazil are gone. What remains uncertain is whether he can reinvent himself and fight his way back, or if his chapter with the Seleção will end quietly on the sidelines.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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