Neymar has been excluded from Brazil's squad for the upcoming March friendlies against France and Croatia, marking another setback in his quest to secure a spot in the World Cup squad. The Santos forward, who has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to a knee injury, was left out of coach Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man roster for the matches in Boston and Orlando. The decision comes as Brazil prepares to finalize its World Cup squad on May 18. Neymar expressed disappointment after the squad announcement, stating he was "upset and sad" about being omitted. However, he emphasized his commitment to continuing his training and recovery, vowing to "reach our goal" by making the final squad. The 34-year-old, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, had recently returned to action with Corinthians, playing 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Despite his performance, Ancelotti noted that Neymar is "not at 100 percent" and needs to improve his physical condition to be considered for the World Cup. Endrick, the 19-year-old forward from Lyon, has made his debut in the national team squad, marking a significant breakthrough for the young player. Since joining Lyon from Real Madrid in the winter transfer window, Endrick has scored six goals in 12 appearances, earning Ancelotti's praise. Other notable inclusions are Igor Thiago, who has earned his first call-up, and attacking duo Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior. Midfielder Casemiro, a veteran at Manchester United, has also been selected, while Lucas Paquetá was left out despite his recent move to Flamengo. Ancelotti highlighted the importance of players performing well in their domestic leagues, citing Endrick, Rayan, and Danilo as examples.#real_madrid #carlo_ancelotti #neymar #endrick #brazil
Official: Vinicius, Endrick named in Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies With the FIFA World Cup in North America just months away, Brazil’s first international break of 2026 has arrived, as the team prepares for two friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States. The matches, scheduled for March 26 and March 31, will serve as a key opportunity for coach Carlo Ancelotti to test his squad ahead of the global tournament. Ancelotti has finalized the list of players selected for the U.S. trip, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and teenage sensation Endrick among the standout additions. The 25-year-old Vinicius, a central figure in Madrid’s attacking play, has been called up to bolster Brazil’s forward options. His recent form with Los Blancos has positioned him as a critical asset for the Selecao, though his international performances have occasionally fallen short of expectations. Endrick, the 19-year-old Brazilian winger on loan at Olympique Lyon, has also earned a spot in the squad. His impressive six-goal, four-assist tally in 12 appearances for Lyon has earned him recognition, and he will compete for a starting role in the No. 9 position. The young forward’s inclusion highlights Brazil’s focus on developing talent ahead of the World Cup. However, several key players are absent due to injury concerns. Rodrygo, who suffered an ACL rupture last month, has been ruled out of the tournament and will miss both friendlies. Eder Militao, another important defender, is also sidelined, leaving Ancelotti to rely on younger or less experienced options in key positions. The squad’s selection reflects a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging stars, as Brazil aims to refine its strategy for the 2026 World Cup.#real_madrid #vinicius_jr #carlo_ancelotti #endrick #fifa_world_cup
Neymar excluded from Brazil's March squad, Endrick included for first time under Ancelotti Neymar has been omitted from Brazil's squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, marking another setback in his quest to secure a World Cup spot. The Santos forward, who has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to a severe knee injury, was left out of coach Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad announced on Monday. The decision comes as Brazil prepares for its final World Cup qualifiers in March before finalizing its roster on May 18. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, expressed disappointment at not being selected for the two matches in the United States. Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo, he said, "I am upset and sad" about his exclusion but emphasized his commitment to training and recovery. "My focus remains, day after day, training after training, match after match. We will reach our goal, there's still the final squad," he added. Ancelotti explained that Neymar's absence was due to his incomplete recovery from the ACL and meniscus tear. "Neymar is not at 100 percent and therefore he is not on the list," the coach stated. "If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. He has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition." Endrick, the 19-year-old forward from Lyon, has made his debut in Ancelotti's squad, marking his first call-up since the coach took charge in June. The young striker, who has scored six goals in 12 appearances since joining Lyon from Real Madrid, is seen as a key addition to Brazil's attacking options. Other notable inclusions are Igor Thiago, who earned his first cap with Brentford, and veteran players like Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, and João Pedro.#carlo_ancelotti #neymar #endrick #brazil #world_cup
Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup includes Neymar as a key contender, but the Santos star faces a critical final test before securing his place. The 34-year-old has been named in Carlo Ancelotti's preliminary list for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, marking the last international window before the global tournament. However, Neymar's participation in the national team's final selection remains uncertain, as he is sidelined for Santos' Brasileirao match against Mirassol due to load management. With only one domestic game left against Corinthians, the forward must prove his fitness to convince Ancelotti and CBF director Rodrigo Caetano of his readiness for the World Cup. Ancelotti's scrutiny of Neymar's final audition highlights the pressure on the star player. While the Selecao's coaching staff has expressed confidence in his ability to contribute, the manager's decision will hinge on Neymar's performance in the upcoming matches. The Brazilian forward's inclusion in the preliminary squad offers a lifeline, but his absence from the next game underscores the need for a strong showing in the final domestic fixture. The outcome of this test will determine whether he joins the final 26-player squad for the World Cup. Endrick, the teenage forward who joined Olympique Lyonnais in January, has emerged as a bright prospect for Brazil's future. The 19-year-old has already made an impact in Ligue 1, scoring five goals and providing three assists in just 10 appearances. His rapid adaptation to French football has caught the attention of the national team's coaching staff, who see him as a vital addition to the squad's attacking options. With his youthful energy and technical skills, Endrick's inclusion in the final squad seems highly likely, offering Brazil a fresh dynamic in their frontline.#carlo_ancelotti #neymar #rodrigo_caetano #endrick #bremer
