Carlo Ancelotti has named Neymar in Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, ending weeks of speculation over the veteran forward’s international future. Yet the Italian coach, who will trim the list to 26 players by 18 May, made clear that inclusion is conditional. “If he is on this list, it is because his physical condition is improving,” Davide Ancelotti, his son and assistant, told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Between now and the deadline, we will reduce to the 26 who will travel to the United States.” The message from the Brazilian camp is unambiguous: Neymar must prove he can sustain the demands of elite competition, not merely that he can still produce flashes of brilliance.

Viewed from Rio de Janeiro, the national debate has been polarised. Neymar remains a symbol of Brazilian football, a player who won Olympic gold and lifted the Champions League, yet his recent years have been scarred by injury and recurring fitness problems. He was omitted from the squad for the final friendlies against France and Croatia, and his return to Santos has not yet silenced doubts about his stamina for a month-long tournament. Supporters argue that his unique creative ability justifies a place, while critics point to younger, more durable options. Ancelotti has attempted to steer a pragmatic course, insisting that “when you need to choose, you must consider many factors” and that the decision “depends only on him.”

From European press boxes, where Ancelotti’s reputation for cool-headed squad management is well established, the approach is seen as a calculated gamble. The coach has repeatedly stressed that he will only select players who are “ready to help the group” physically. Analysts in London note that Neymar’s age — 34 — and his history of soft-tissue problems make him a high-risk pick for a tournament played in the North American summer heat. Yet his talent remains undeniable, and Ancelotti’s willingness to leave the door open suggests he values experience in a squad that will face a demanding group stage across three host nations.

The final cut will be announced in a ceremony next week, and Neymar’s fate will serve as a bellwether for Brazil’s broader strategy: whether to lean on fading icons or to bet on a new generation. If he makes the 26, Ancelotti will have to manage his minutes carefully, likely using him as a second-half impact player. Should he be left behind, the narrative will shift to how Brazil intends to replace its most decorated attacking star. Either way, the next fortnight will define not only Neymar’s legacy but also the shape of a Seleção side that, under its first European manager, is trying to balance romance with realism.