The Maracana is making ready for an additional evening of drama as Brazil faces Chile in a vital World Cup 2026 qualifier. Brazil, already assured of its place at subsequent yr’s match in the US, Canada, and Mexico, enters this conflict with confidence. In the meantime, after dropping to Bolivia in June and ending final in South America’s round-robin play, Chile is not going to be collaborating within the World Cup for the third consecutive yr. But all eyes usually are not simply on the pitch however on the squad listing itself. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time high scorer, is as soon as once more absent.
The 33-year-old ahead, who lately returned to Santos, was extensively anticipated to be at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal. As a substitute, the Seleçao will depend on different attacking skills like Raphinha and Richarlison. That has left followers and pundits alike asking: Why isn’t Neymar enjoying?
Ancelotti’s Brazil is in no temper to calm down, even with qualification already secured. The Selecao are unbeaten at residence below the Italian coach and need to lengthen their five-game successful streak. “It has been 24 years since Brazil final gained the World Cup. The time has come,” the coach reminded reporters in Rio this week.
For Chile, the state of affairs is way much less optimistic. La Roja sits on the backside of the desk with simply 10 factors from 16 matches. The stakes might hardly be extra totally different for the 2 nations. However Neymar’s absence from the Inexperienced-Yellow squad provides an sudden subplot.
Not damage this time
Initially, hypothesis recommended Neymar had been not noted due to health points. The ahead missed a big portion of 2023 with a critical knee ligament damage and later suffered minor muscle swelling this August. Neymar himself admitted: “It was some swelling I had in my adductor, some discomfort, but it surely was nothing critical, a lot in order that I performed right this moment.”
Nonetheless, Ancelotti later clarified that an damage was not the explanation. As a substitute, his choice was deliberate. “It’s a technical alternative, not one dictated by bodily issues,” the Italy-born supervisor stated. “No one can query Neymar’s expertise. What we assess daily, and for each match, is bodily health. That applies not simply to him, however to everybody.” Briefly: The 33-year-old’s absence was all the way down to a managerial choice, not medical limitations.
Brutally aggressive squad
For Ancelotti, the difficulty is as a lot about competitors as it’s about Neymar’s type. Brazil’s participant pool is arguably the deepest in world soccer, with as many as 70 gamers vying for choice. The coach has already began forming his 26-man World Cup group, prioritizing those that are match, versatile, and aligned along with his collective strategy.
“There may be large competitors,” Ancelotti admitted. “I have already got a consolidated group in thoughts for the World Cup. The largest mistake can be to get the listing of 26 fallacious. The standard is there, however the power of the collective group is what counts.” It was a hanging message, aimed not solely at Neymar however at each Brazilian participant preventing for a ticket to North America.
