Neymar Praises Mbappé After Brazil Loss, Ancelotti Explains Call
Newly appointed Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has opted not to include Neymar in his latest squad, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and football pundits alike. The former Barcelona star, now playing for Santos FC, has been closely following every move of the national team during this friendly window, despite his exclusion from the squad. Neymar closely monitors the international friendly and is keen to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His remarks about former teammates such as Kylian Mbappé and Casemiro have gone viral, igniting heated debate across the football community.
Neymar has always supported the young players and given them motivation to become the best version of themselves. Following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat against the 2018 world champions, Brazil star Neymar praised his former PSG teammate Mbappe’s goal. Neymar commented that he never missed in front of goal and, shortly after, expressed words of admiration for a compatriot, Casemiro. He believes that Casemiro also performed well by winning second balls and making defensive passes in the midfield. He shared his insights about the playing style of Brazil. According to him, the team had to rely on quick counterattacks, as Brazil’s strategy was built around playing on the break.
Brazil was nowhere near its best against France. They failed to register a single shot on target before the halftime break. Despite the poor performance, Raphinha’s runs behind the French defense were promising, but his decision-making undermined their potential impact. The return of Neymar could make a big impact in Brazil’s attack. Brazil’s dream of a successful World Cup campaign under the new boss depends on how these senior players step up when the momentum gets tough.
Carlo Ancelotti said that Neymar could be at the World Cup if he reached 100 percent fitness. He explained that Neymar was not included in the current list because he was not fully fit, adding that the team needed players who were at 100 percent at the moment. He further stated that the situation could change for the final squad, emphasizing that Neymar needed to continue working and playing while demonstrating his qualities in excellent physical condition.
Neymar’s Role in the 2026 World Cup Remains Unclear—Kylian Mbappé Sends Clear Message
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti appears unconvinced by Neymar’s recent performances and ongoing injury record. As a result, uncertainty still surrounds the forward’s role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, French superstar Kylian Mbappé highly rates Neymar and still believes that he is one of the finest players in the world who can still deliver and make a big difference.
Kylian Mbappé said in an interview that the World Cup was a competition of stars and noted that all the stars were present. He added that, in his view, Neymar was one of the biggest stars and that he could not imagine the World Cup without him. However, he stated that he could not go against his former coach, Carlo Ancelotti, and had to respect his decision. He said that Vinícius Júnior needed to take another step forward with the national team but emphasized that Neymar remained a fantastic player.
He added that the pressure on Neymar was normal and admitted he was biased, describing Neymar as one of his idols. He noted that Neymar was doing everything to be fully fit and return to the national team. Mbappé further stated that the final decision rested with the coach but added that players always wanted to play alongside the best.
