Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has addressed the topic of whether to include Neymar in the World Cup squad during an exclusive interview with Reuters.
“When making a decision, you have to weigh many aspects. Neymar has been a vital player for Brazil because his talent has always been there. But he’s faced some challenges recently and is working hard to get back to his best. His situation has improved, and he’s now playing regularly. Clearly, this isn’t an easy choice for me. I must carefully consider the pros and cons. I’m fully aware that Neymar is extremely popular – not only with fans but also with his teammates. That’s something we need to factor in, because we have to think about the atmosphere around the team if he’s included. That doesn’t mean bringing him into the dressing room would be like throwing a bomb. He’s well-liked, and everyone appreciates him.”
“I think it’s normal for players to express their opinions. I’m grateful to everyone who offers me advice. But ultimately, the person best suited to make this call – and who should make it – is me. I don’t believe the internal team atmosphere will be affected at all. The current mood in the squad is very positive and clean. No matter which player makes the list, that positive, clean atmosphere will remain until the end. However, I can’t control the external noise or what the media will say. His physical condition has improved.”
“He’s played some good games recently, and his body is definitely in better shape. He can now maintain a high level of intensity during matches. But games are different from one another… No one has put any pressure on me to call Neymar up. I have full autonomy. This decision will be made 100% on professional grounds. I will only consider his current performances as a player, nothing else. Can I pick a perfect squad? No. But I can pick one that makes fewer mistakes than others. That, I’m sure of.”
