Santos exit trims Neymar’s ‘cushion’ to sway Ancelotti for Brazil recall | OneFootball

Santos’ Paulista quarter-final exit has cut Neymar’s margin to convince Carlo Ancelotti before Brazil’s 16 March call-up, leaving only three matches. According to Globo.com, the defeat removed a three-game cushion he had hoped to use.

Losing to Novorizontino ended hopes of a semi-final and potentially two state final dates, a platform to chase a title and stand out.

Before 16 March, Santos face Vasco at home, Mirassol away and Corinthians at Vila Belmiro, all in the Campeonato Brasileiro. The Sudamericana group stage starts on 19 March and the Copa do Brasil enters its fifth phase in late April, so those debuts will come after the call-up.

Last year Neymar battled fitness issues, playing 28 of Santos’ 54 games, which kept him out of Ancelotti’s lists. Only two call-ups remain, this March and the final World Cup squad.

Ancelotti has said he will select him only at peak fitness, which has not happened. Against Novorizontino he played the full match but often lacked intensity, especially tracking back.

He had left knee meniscus surgery at the end of 2025, then spent early 2026 recovering and missed 10 matches after choosing to delay an operation flagged as urgent in late November until late December.

Brazil gather in Orlando on 23 March, then face France in Boston on 26 March and Croatia in Orlando on 31 March. The World Cup list is due on 19 May, preparation begins on 25 May and the opener is on 13 June against Morocco.

Source: Globo.com