Neymar’s hopes of returning to the Brazil national team have suffered another setback after the forward was ruled out of Santos’ Brazilian Championship match against Mirassol due to muscle fatigue. The decision was described by the club as a precautionary measure but it comes at a critical moment for the experienced attacker who has been working to regain full fitness. Brazil’s coaching staff had been planning to evaluate the 34 year old closely as they prepare to announce the squad for upcoming international matches and eventually finalize selections ahead of the next World Cup.
The absence has drawn particular attention because Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti had traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo specifically to watch Neymar play. The national team coach was hoping to assess the forward’s physical condition and form as part of the selection process for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia scheduled later this month. Neymar’s withdrawal from the match reportedly surprised officials within the Brazilian Football Confederation who had expected him to feature after showing signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Ancelotti has previously emphasized that players must be fully fit in order to earn a place in the national squad as Brazil prepares for major international competitions. The Italian manager is believed to be closely monitoring several attacking players who have been performing well at club level. Missing the Mirassol fixture could therefore make Neymar’s chances of returning to the squad more complicated, especially with the official squad announcement for the March friendlies expected soon.
The Santos forward has not represented Brazil since October 2023 when he suffered a serious knee ligament injury that disrupted his international career. The injury required a lengthy recovery period and kept him out of action for months, delaying his return to top level football. Since then Neymar has been attempting to rebuild his fitness and regain competitive rhythm after rejoining his boyhood club Santos following his departure from Saudi Arabian football in early 2025.
Although Neymar has shown glimpses of his attacking creativity since returning to Brazilian football, he has struggled to maintain consistent appearances due to physical concerns. Santos supporters have welcomed his return to the club where he first rose to international prominence but the forward has yet to produce the sustained run of performances that once made him one of the most influential players in world football.
Meanwhile Brazil’s attacking lineup has continued to evolve with several younger players establishing themselves as strong options for the national team. Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli and rising talents such as Endrick and Estevao have all impressed in recent competitions. Other forwards including Joao Pedro, Igor Jesus and Matheus Cunha have also provided depth, creating increased competition for places in the squad as Brazil prepares for upcoming tournaments.
Despite Neymar’s absence from the Mirassol match, expectations remain that he could return to action in Santos’ next fixture against Corinthians at Vila Belmiro later this week. That match may offer him another opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and prove he can still contribute at the highest level. However Brazil’s coaching staff will be focusing on multiple games across the domestic league schedule while continuing their evaluation of potential selections.
Time is becoming increasingly limited for Neymar as Brazil approaches the final stages of its preparation for the World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico later this year. The national team is expected to confirm its final squad in May and players hoping to secure a place must demonstrate both form and physical readiness. For Neymar the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether he will once again wear the Brazil shirt on the international stage.
