Neymar has sparked fresh debate about his Brazil future after being left out of the squad for the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
The Santos forward, now 33, responded with a cryptic post on social media, sharing a picture of himself working out in the gym.
Alongside the photo, he wrote: “Success comes from desire, determination, and persistence in achieving a goal. Even if you don’t reach your target, those who seek and overcome obstacles will, at the very least, do admirable things.”
The timing was telling. Brazil will face Chile on September 4 and Bolivia on September 9, but Neymar will once again watch from afar.
For a player who has been the Selecão’s main man for over a decade, his silence would have spoken loudly enough. Instead, he added a message that leaves fans guessing.
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Carlo Ancelotti explains why Neymar was left out of Brazil squad
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the absence on Monday. “Neymar is not (in the team) because he had a problem last week,” Ancelotti explained.
“Like everyone else, Neymar needs to be in good physical condition to help the national team and perform well in the World Cup.”
The veteran boss also stressed there was no need to test Neymar again, saying his quality was already known. Still, the forward’s recent run at Santos — six goals in 19 games — has been below his own standards.
Injuries continue to stall his comeback, with the club confirming another muscle issue in training last week.
Brazil have already booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, but questions remain over Neymar’s role. Will he fight his way back into the squad, or is the curtain slowly closing on one of Brazil’s greatest showmen? For now, the ball is at his feet.
Full Brazil national team squad for upcoming international break
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Alisson, Bento, Hugo Souza |
| Defenders | Alex Ribeiro, Alex Sandro, Caio Henrique, Douglas Santos, Fabrício Bruno, Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos, Vanderson, Wesley |
| Midfielders | Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Joelinton, Lucas Paquetá |
| Forwards | Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, João Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Richarlison |