Neymar clings to faint Brazil World Cup hope as Ancelotti finalises 26 | OneFootball

Neymar retains only a slim chance of making Brazil’s World Cup squad, with Carlo Ancelotti due to name his 26 on Monday.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s record scorer, cried during the anthem before Santos’s 0-3 home defeat by Coritiba, as speculation over his place intensified.

The debate has tried Ancelotti’s patience. “I am grateful for all the advice I have been given. The external environment is under control and will remain so until the end of the World Cup, with or without Neymar,” he told Reuters.

Neymar has played 10 of Santos’s past 13 games and, with 79 goals in 128 caps, is pushing for one last World Cup. Ancelotti has made fitness decisive.

Recent flashpoints, including a training slap of Robinho Jr and fury at a mistaken substitution while nursing a calf issue, have not helped.

After the match, Neymar said the tournament remains his dream, that he feels very good physically and that he hopes to be called, otherwise he will back the Seleçao.

Age is no barrier, with 41-year-old Thiago Silva at FC Porto under consideration after Eder Militao was ruled out and uncertainty remains behind Marquinhos and Gabriel.

Up front, 19-year-old Endrick is expected to make the cut after a strong six-month loan at OL, with Estevao and Rodrygo sidelined.

Source: L'Équipe