Will Neymar Play For Brazil Again?

Neymar has always been the heartbeat of the Brazilian national team. From his teenage years, when he lit up the 2014 World Cup, to carrying the hopes of a football-obsessed nation through injuries and criticism, the 33-year-old forward has been through it all. Brazil turns a new page under Carlo Ancelotti, and questions are starting to swirl: Will Neymar ever wear the famous yellow jersey again?

Life After Injury: A Tough Climb Back

It’s been a rough couple of years for Neymar. His move to Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023 raised eyebrows, and just when fans were beginning to adjust to seeing him outside of Europe, disaster struck. A devastating ACL tear during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay ruled him out for more than a year. The recovery was slow, painful, and public, as it often is for megastars like Neymar.

When he finally returned to the pitch in early 2025, it wasn’t in Paris or Riyadh, it was back home, where it all began. Neymar re-signed with Santos FC, where he first danced his way into football folklore. It was a nostalgic, emotional move. For the former Barcelona man, it felt like pressing the reset button.

He’s shown glimpses of the old magic, a couple of stunning goals, the odd moment of brilliance, but he’s not quite there yet. He’s struggling with injury concerns even back in Brazil. The burst of pace isn’t the same, and match fitness is still a work in progress. But the passion? That’s never been in doubt.

Ancelotti’s First Big Call

Excitement buzzed through the Brazilian football community when Carlo Ancelotti was officially unveiled as Brazil’s new manager following his final season with Real Madrid. A serial winner with vast experience, Ancelotti was seen as the right man to rebuild the Seleção ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

So when he named his first squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, all eyes were on the list. However, Neymar’s name wasn’t on the list. Naturally, it sent shockwaves, but it was also expected. Is this the end? Is the former PSG man finally being phased out? Not quite.

“In this call-up, I selected the players who are doing well. Neymar has just returned from injury, everyone knows his quality, and we are counting on him,” Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference. It was a calculated decision. A decision not based on emotion, but better for the whole team. Ancelotti is building a squad that can deliver results now, and the former PSG man, having just returned from a long layoff, isn’t quite ready.

Still Part Of the Plan

Despite being left out, there was reassurance in Ancelotti’s words. Neymar isn’t forgotten. If anything, he remains firmly in Brazil’s plans, but he’ll need to regain his place, and just memories won’t cut it. That won’t be easy. The competition is fierce. Vinícius Júnior is blossoming into a world-class star at Real Madrid. Rodrygo is increasingly reliable, Barcelona’s Raphinha might win the Ballon d’Or this season, and Antony has been a resurgent figure for Real Betis. 

But Neymar brings something different. Something that can’t be measured purely in stats or fitness levels. He’s a leader, a showman, and still one of the most intelligent and skillful players in world football when fully fit. His experience alone could prove invaluable when the stakes get high. At Santos, he’ll need to stay fit and focused and show flashes of the Neymar the world fell in love with. If he does that, the door to the national team will swing right back open.

Final Thoughts

For Neymar, the next 12 months could define how he’s remembered. He’s already Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer. He’s won everything there is to win at club level. But the one thing missing from his glittering career? A World Cup. 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico might be his last chance.

Whether he gets that shot depends on more than reputation. It depends on his body, his form, and his hunger to fight his way back. It’s a different kind of challenge than Neymar is used to,  but in some ways, it might be the most important one of his career.