‘He Is Not 100%’: Ancelotti Defends Decision To Leave Neymar off of Brazil Squad

Carlo Ancelotti has omitted Neymar from his latest Brazil squad for the upcoming high-profile friendlies against France and Croatia.

Despite the Santos forward returning to domestic football at the weekend after a lengthy injury, the Italian tactician believes the 34-year-old superstar is not yet at the physical level required to represent the national team.

Ancelotti will not include the forward in the squad for the upcoming clashes on March 26 and 31. This selection represents the final experimental window for the Selecao before the definitive list for the 2026 World Cup is announced. Speaking on the decision, the manager explained: "Neymar can be at the World Cup too. If he can reach the next World Cup at 100 percent, he can be at the World Cup. Why is he not on this list now? Because he is not 100%. We need players at 100% right now. But as I said, for the final list, the conversation is different. Neymar has to keep working and playing, showing his qualities in a good physical condition."

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While the attacker has shown flashes of brilliance since returning to action, technical ability alone is not enough to warrant a place in the current setup. The coaching staff is closely monitoring him but feels he has not reached his peak following a lengthy recovery from knee surgery. The former Real Madrid boss elaborated on his rationale in the wake of Neymar's 90-minute display against Corinthians at the weekend, saying: "It is a physical evaluation. It is not a technical evaluation. Neymar with the ball is very good. For the coaching staff, for me, he is not at 100% of his possibilities. He has to work to be at 100% of his possibilities. This is an opinion of mine and of the entire staff that sees and