Léo Santana urges Carlo Ancelotti to call up Neymar Jr at Carnival | OneFootball

Léo Santana used Salvador’s Carnival to urge Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti to select Neymar Jr for June’s World Cup.

According to Diario Do Peixe, Ancelotti was in a beer brand’s VIP box in Salvador on Friday 13 when Santana, leading his trio elétrico, playfully pressed the Italian with his plea.

He said it was worth believing a sixth world title could come under Ancelotti, asked for Neymar’s inclusion, and framed it as a fan’s request he could not pass up.

Neymar Jr has recovered from arthroscopy on his left knee performed on 22 December. Although he has trained normally for almost two weeks, his return is expected against Velo Clube on Sunday 15 at 20:30 in the eighth round of the Paulistão. Santos have been cautious to maximise his performance.

The aim at the club is for him to hit top speed with March the final FIFA window before the World Cup and a chance to be on Ancelotti’s list. Last week, Santos sent signed No 10 shirts to Lionel Messi and his children to boost the player’s profile.

This year he renewed with Santos until the end of December, and while sidelined he has watched every match at Vila Belmiro from a box. He returned last year and had ups and downs in 2025, suffering three muscle injuries that cost him months. He finished with 12 goals and six assists in 30 games.

Recently, head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda said the forward would be ready soon and praised him for working up to double sessions to accelerate his return.

Source: Diario Do Peixe