Neymar left out of Brazil’s US friendlies as scrutiny over fitness intensifies ahead of Ancelotti’s squad call
neymar has been left out of Brazil’s friendlies in the United States this month, a decision that lands at the center of growing debate over his fitness and availability. The 34-year-old former captain has struggled to be fit since tearing his ACL in October 2023, while also publicly pushing back against speculation and “made-up stories” about his condition.
What happens when Neymar is not considered 100% fit?
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti framed the selection choice in straightforward terms, saying the squad “takes into account players who are 100% fit. ” The same explanation also came with a broader context of injuries impacting selection, with Ancelotti referencing injuries to Eder Militão, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão, and Rodrygo.
Brazil’s upcoming matches in the United States are set: France in Boston on March 26 (ET) and Croatia in Orlando four days later (ET). With these friendlies arriving before the World Cup squad announcement on May 18 (ET), the omission keeps focus on whether Neymar can demonstrate the level of readiness Ancelotti has emphasized.
What if the Santos workload plan collides with national-team timing?
The club-level handling of Neymar has become part of the wider conversation. He was a notable absentee from Santos’ 2-2 draw with Mirassol after being expected to feature, then being left out of the matchday squad to undergo a specific workload management program. That absence sparked fresh speculation around his physical condition.
Neymar’s minutes have been strictly managed by Santos’ medical staff to avoid a relapse following his return to action. The sequence has added sensitivity to each decision to play, sit, or reduce workload—especially with Ancelotti finalising plans for high-profile international fixtures and making clear that fitness is non-negotiable.
In another recent domestic match, Neymar did not play well in Santos’ 1-1 draw with Corinthians in the Brazilian league. Against this backdrop, Brazil’s selection stance and Santos’ management approach create a narrow corridor for Neymar to show he can handle the rigours Ancelotti is demanding.
What if Neymar’s public response reshapes the conversation?
Neymar addressed the criticism directly on social media after missing a Santos match during the week due to another injury, responding to speculation about his fitness. He rejected the idea that there was a hidden issue, saying: “Since so many people are coming up with theories about what’s going on with me: Nothing is going on. ”
He also described a no-win dynamic around his choices: “If I play while injured, I’m making a mistake. If I take it easy, I’m making a mistake, ” adding: “It’s very hard to get it right. ” Neymar said he is especially annoyed by so-called insider reports, arguing that some people close to him “make up stories” and present them “as if they were the absolute truth, ” and summed up his frustration with: “It’s very complicated to be me. ”
The public pushback lands as Brazil’s schedule and decision points are already set. The World Cup squad will be announced on May 18 (ET), and the team’s last warmup is scheduled for May 31 (ET) against Panama in Rio de Janeiro. Between now and those dates, Neymar’s status—fitness, workload, and match readiness—remains the core variable he must resolve on the field.
Brazil’s squad for the U. S. friendlies includes the following players:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), João Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid)
For Neymar, the immediate picture is clear: selection hinges on being fully fit, and the timeline to convince Ancelotti is defined by the dates already on the calendar.
