Brazilian legend advises Ancelotti to include Neymar in the 2026 World Cup squad
Brazilian legend sends a decisive message regarding Neymar
Former Brazilian football star and Santos legend, José Macia, nicknamed "Pepe," offered invaluable advice to veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti regarding the future of Brazilian star Neymar da Silva with the national team. These comments come at a sensitive time as fans of the Seleção eagerly await the squad that will represent the country at the 2026 World Cup, amidst ongoing debate about Neymar's physical and technical readiness following a series of absences.
Neymar's importance, even if only for half an hour
In an exclusive interview with Okaz newspaper, Pepe confirmed that Neymar may not be at his peak physical condition at the moment, but his mere presence on the Brazilian national team roster is of paramount importance. Pepe said, "Neymar isn't at his best physically yet, but he is playing. I think having him on the Brazilian national team is always a good thing, even if it's just for 30 minutes." He added, explaining the player's technical value, "He possesses the exceptional skills to score a decisive goal or deliver a magical pass in that short period, which helps the team win difficult matches.".
Historical context and the impact of Neymar's absence
Pepe's statements carry significant weight given his illustrious history; he is a legend of Brazil's golden generation, having won the World Cup twice consecutively in 1958 and 1962, playing alongside the late Pelé. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, is going through a difficult period after suffering serious injuries, most notably a torn cruciate ligament, which has sidelined him for an extended period and made his inclusion in the national team a subject of much debate. Neymar's absence from important friendlies such as those against France and Croatia has raised numerous questions about his international future.
Respecting Ancelotti's technical decisions
Pepe addressed coach Carlo Ancelotti's stance, indicating that Neymar's exclusion from some previous training camps wasn't due to personal animosity or injustice. He explained, "Carlo Ancelotti isn't against Neymar being in Brazil; it's simply that, in his opinion, Neymar wasn't ready to play at that time." He continued, praising the coach's mentality: "Ancelotti acts decisively and in accordance with his convictions. He's an experienced coach, and I trust his abilities, but I advise him to include Neymar in the World Cup squad because he can make a difference at any moment.".
Candidates for the 2026 World Cup title
Internationally, the Brazilian national team faces immense pressure to reclaim the title that has eluded them since 2002. Regarding the teams most likely to win the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by North America, the Santos legend didn't hesitate to place his country at the forefront. "Brazil remains a perennial contender for the World Cup title, alongside other strong teams like France and Spain," said Pepe, adding that the competition will be fierce, but Brazil always possesses the footballing DNA to compete for the gold.
