Neymar, 34, is handed a stunning Brazil recall by Carlo Ancelotti for World Cup – as TWO Premier League stars are brutally axed
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Tottenham’s Richarlison are among the Brazil stars who suffered World Cup heartbreak after Carlo Ancelotti’s surprising recall of Neymar.
Ancelotti announced his squad with rich offensive talent on Monday evening.
Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Raphinha also participate. They include Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Bournemouth’s Rayan and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
But the real story was about 34-year-old Neymar, Brazil’s record goalscorer, returning to his first club Santos and reaching his fourth World Cup final.
‘I got a lot of advice,’ said former Chelsea and Everton boss Ancelotti. ‘Too much! From journalists and singers… From all over the world.
‘The work done by staff last year has been very good, well executed, but also with competence, personality and competitiveness. ‘I have all the information I need to create a team list with fewer mistakes.’
Brazil is the most successful country in World Cup history; they have won five times but not since 2002 and Ancelotti is under no illusions that he has been called upon to end the wait.
Neymar, Brazil’s record goalscorer in Santos, will participate in his fourth World Cup
“I am not afraid to say that we want to win the World Cup because the expectations are high,” the Italian football player said. ‘We will have a staff that can develop quality football, collective spirit and quality.
‘It’s not a perfect team, I’m sure of that.
‘I must say that the team that wins the World Cup will not be a perfect team; There is no such thing as a perfect team.
‘The strongest team can win. ‘We want to be the most durable team in the world.’
Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not played for Brazil since tearing his cruciate knee ligaments against Uruguay in October 2023, shortly after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and joining Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
He celebrated his recall by interrupting the live broadcast of one of his closest friends, Cris Guedes, from his home in Santos.
“I understand people say European football is different, more intense,” Ancelotti said when asked why Neymar gave his nod to strikers in the Premier League. Here we also talk about how complicated it is to play football.
‘There’s schedule, travel, heat. It’s hard to compare. Then there are the individual characteristics of the players. We feel sorry for João Pedro because, considering his season in Europe, he deserved to be on this list.
‘But we chose the other players with full awareness, respect and competence. ‘We feel very sorry for João Pedro, like everyone else.’
The Brazilian coach announced that he sees Neymar in the central attacking role.
