As the nation prepares for the World Cup in North America next year, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has urged coach Carlo Ancelotti to reinstate Neymar in the Selecao squad.
Since he was disabled during a qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 due to a damaged cruciate ligament, Neymar has not donned the iconic yellow shirt.
After a brief and disappointing stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, the 33-year-old has since returned to his first club, Santos, where he has been playing frequently.
Since Ancelotti took over, Neymar has not been in any of Ancelotti’s four squads, despite being healthy and active once more.
Ronaldo has made it apparent that Brazil needs the forward’s skill on the international scene, which has caused controversy about his absence.
For the Brazilian Selecao, he is a key player. At a Sao Paulo event, Ronaldo declared, “We don’t have another player like Neymar.”
“The people hope 100 percent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he is not,” the two-time World Cup champion continued.
Injuries have frequently stopped Neymar’s progress in recent years, making his career erratic.
He failed to make an impression at Al Hilal, playing just five games and scoring one goal before suffering a chronic ailment that kept him out for a year. He also missed Brazil’s Copa America victory in 2019.
Before completing an emotional return to Brazil, he would play just two more games for the Saudi team.
He has not been hurried back into international action by Ancelotti.
Neymar “needs to get in better shape to help the national team and to give the best of himself at the World Cup,” the seasoned coach explained when he decided not to include him in the September qualifiers.
