Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti asked Neymar to “prepare well” for the 2026 World Cup, calling him “very important player” in his plans, in an interview released on Thursday by Conmebol on social networks.
- Read more: Neymar renews contract and targets up to 28 games in 2025
- Until 42 years: Al-Nassr announces renewal of contract with Cristiano Ronaldo by 2027
“He is a very important player for our World Cup team,” said Ancelotti about the 33 -year -old striker, who has just renewed his contract with Santos by the end of the year. “He needs to prepare well; he has time for it. I talked to him about it: to prepare well, because we believe he must be a very important player,” Carletto insisted.
On Tuesday, after weeks of rumors about his future, Neymar agreed with Santos the renewal of his contract by the end of 2025, with an extension option at the end, according to the former Pelé club. Injuries have been limited their performance since his return to fish in January.
Neymar was not summoned by Ancelotti for the last double match of the South American qualifiers earlier this month, in which Brazil secured its place in the 2026 World Cup with a 0-0 draw with Ecuador and a 1-0 win over Paraguay.
Ancelotti is the new coach of the Brazilian team
Technician will command Brazil at the 2026 World Cup
The selection will end the qualifying campaign in September, hosting Chile and visiting Bolivia. Neymar is the biggest scorer in Brazil’s history, with 79 goals in 128 matches. He played at the 2014 World Cup, the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup at Qatar.
