Brazil coach says Neymar still has time to make World Cup squad

Brazil star Neymar still has time to recover from recent injuries and return to form well enough to play in this summer's FIFA World Cup, according to Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"He is capable of getting back to 100 per cent," Ancelotti told L'Equipe in response to questions about Neymar. "He is being assessed by the CBF (Brazil's Football Confederation) and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has what it takes to play in the next World Cup."

A fixture on the Brazilian national team starting in 2013, Neymar hasn't played for his country since 2023 when he began dealing with left knee issues. He had minor surgery on the knee on Dec. 22, and over the international break in early April, he reportedly underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to further aid in his recovery.

"After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has made a good recovery," Ancelotti said. "He's scoring goals. He needs to keep going down this path and improve his fitness. He's on the right track."

The 34-year-old who has scored more goals for Brazil than anyone else (79) has openly discussed his desire to be on Brazil's World Cup team this summer for the tournament in North America.

He is currently the captain of Santos in Serie A, Brazil's top soccer league, where his contract expires at the end of the calendar year. He formerly was one of the world's best attacking players during his time with Barcelona (2013-17) and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-23), playing alongside Lionel Messi with both clubs.

An ankle injury slowed Neymar before his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, leading to a stint with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where his brief tenure was halted by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to action in January 2025 when