Brazil Coach Ancelotti Cautious on Neymar's National Team Return Amid Fitness Concerns

Kathmandu. While football fans are highly eager about Brazilian star Neymar's return to the national team, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that he will not rush the decision.

Amid questions raised over Neymar's performance following Santos FC's exit from the 'Campeonato Paulista' and their loss to Novorizontino, Ancelotti clarified that there is no change in his long-term plan.

The Italian coach is focused on building the team for the future, and Neymar's immediate return is not his current priority. According to ESPN, while Santos's loss technically does not rule Neymar out of the squad, it further reinforces the coach's existing decision. Neymar was not in Ancelotti's plans from the start for the high-profile friendly matches against France and Croatia scheduled for next March.

Keeping the 2026 World Cup in mind, Ancelotti prioritizes physical fitness over the name or reputation of the players. These matches in Boston and Orlando are seen by Ancelotti as his final laboratory, where he wants to assess the team's balance without Neymar.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is closely monitoring Neymar's game and post-injury recovery. It was expected that Neymar, returning after a long injury layoff, would gradually regain form and show his impact in club football starting from February. Ancelotti's strategy is to understand how other attacking facets function in Neymar's absence.

Unlike previous coaches, Ancelotti has shown no urgency for the 34-year-old Neymar. He has maintained the stance that a high level of physical condition is required to wear the yellow jersey.

Ancelotti has no doubt about Neymar's ability, but his main concern is whether Neymar will be physically ready for a major tournament like the World Cup by May. Only if he appears fully fit and technically excellent will he get the chance to play in his fourth World Cup. Otherwise, his World Cup journey might come to a halt after 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Although the Brazilian public is currently engrossed in discussions about Neymar, the coach and technical staff are busy solving other team problems. Ancelotti is paying more attention to issues such as the lack of depth in the defense, alternatives for both fullbacks, the search for backup defenders for Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, and a suitable replacement for Bruno Guimarães.

Work is also underway to clarify the roles of new players in the attack, suggesting that there will be further waiting for Neymar's return.