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1 min read2 sourcesUpdated 3d ago
AI Summary
No guaranteed spot, no special treatment. Ancelotti says Neymar must battle Vini Jr and Raphinha for World Cup minutes — form decides everything.
- •Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Neymar will NOT be guaranteed a starting place at the 2026 World Cup
- •Neymar, 33, must compete directly with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha — two of the world's most in-form forwards — for limited attacking minutes
- •Ancelotti, appointed Brazil manager in June 2025, is prioritising form and fitness over reputation ahead of the tournament
Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that Neymar will have to earn his place in Brazil's World Cup squad by competing with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha for attacking minutes — no legends are exempt. This matters now because Neymar has been sidelined by injury for much of the past two years, and Brazil fans need to know whether their iconic No.10 is truly back or simply making up the numbers.
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