Neymar on the verge of missing the 2026 World Cup: Endrick and 2 others are ahead of him
Carlo Ancelotti does not appear to have Brazil’s No. 10 in his plans for the next FIFA World Cup.
Neymar has fallen out of Brazil’s national team call-ups due to inconsistent performances on the pitch. Now back at Santos FC, the Brazilian playmaker has shown flashes of his old brilliance and even helped the club avoid relegation last season. However, those improvements have not been enough to convince Carlo Ancelotti, who has made it clear through recent decisions that he is planning a rebuild of the Seleção without the former FC Barcelona star as a central figure.
Brazil’s generational shift is already underway, with rising stars like Lucas Paquetá, Endrick, and Igor Thiago gaining ground in the coaching staff’s hierarchy. The competition for roster spots is fierce, and with limited places available, one of these players will inevitably miss out. The big question, however, is whether the one sacrificed could be a legend like Neymar—an outcome that would mark a turning point in Brazil’s recent soccer history.
Neymar’s physical struggles raise serious concerns
Neymar’s recurring injuries in recent years have become a major factor in his evaluation. His lack of consistent playing time and match fitness is a growing concern for the coaching staff, especially with a tournament as demanding as the FIFA World Cup on the horizon. Brazil needs players performing at peak level with sustained consistency—something the No. 10 has struggled to guarantee. What once seemed unthinkable is now becoming a very real possibility.
Neymar breaks his silence and shows his human side
Amid growing speculation, Neymar spoke on his YouTube channel and delivered an emotional message that resonated across the global soccer community. “Being a soccer player comes at a cost. It’s difficult because Brazil can be very harsh in that sense”, he said. He continued, “People criticize you a lot. They don’t understand that I’m a normal person—it’s tough”, revealing the emotional toll he has endured in recent times.
The forward went even deeper: “I suffer, I feel pain, I wake up in a bad mood, I cry, I get angry, I feel happy. I’m human”. He concluded with a powerful reflection: “I’m very grateful because I worked for this. But I’m also a human being—I have the same feelings as anyone else”. His words not only reflect his current reality but also spark a broader conversation about the pressure elite athletes face in modern soccer.
A new era for the Brazil national team
Beyond individual names, Brazil appears to be heading toward a structural transformation. The team is prioritizing intensity, high pressing, and speed—qualities that better align with the new generation of talent. In that context, Neymar’s place in the squad is far from guaranteed, and his potential absence could symbolize the end of a golden era and the beginning of a new competitive identity for the Seleção.
An open ending that keeps the soccer world watching
The final decision has yet to be made, but the scenario is clear: Neymar is facing one of the most decisive moments of his career. His performance, fitness, and ability to adapt to this new project will be crucial in the coming months. Brazil must choose between legacy and future in a decision that could shape its fate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—and one that has the entire soccer world watching closely.
