Ancelotti: 'I Will Be Clear and Fair... Neymar Will Play in World Cup If He Deserves It'

T.E (Elbotola)

19 May 2026at22:30

Carlo Ancelotti, coach of the Brazilian national team, clarified the role Neymar will play in the upcoming World Cup finals. He affirmed that the Brazilian star remains an important player within the squad, but will share the same commitments and duties as the rest of the 26-man roster without prior distinction.

The Italian coach emphasized that Neymar's place in the starting lineup is not automatically guaranteed. Ancelotti stated: "He is an important player, and he will be at the World Cup, but he will bear the same responsibilities as the other 25 players. He might participate, or he might not, and perhaps he will be on the bench and then come on as a substitute."

Discussing transparency in player selection, Ancelotti affirmed his desire to deal with all players with complete clarity, explaining: "I want to be clear, fair, and honest. Neymar will only play if he deserves to play."

The coach also highlighted the necessity of avoiding focusing all expectations on a single individual, regardless of their stardom. He said: "It is important not to concentrate all expectations on one player; instead, all technical and qualitative capabilities must be directed towards helping the national team win the World Cup."

Q&A

What did Carlo Ancelotti say about Neymar's role in the World Cup?

Carlo Ancelotti stated that Neymar's place in the World Cup squad is not automatically guaranteed, despite his importance. The Brazil coach emphasized that the star player will share the same responsibilities and duties as the other team members.

How will Carlo Ancelotti approach player selection for the World Cup?

Carlo Ancelotti will approach player selection with complete clarity, fairness, and honesty. He affirmed that players, including Neymar, will only participate if they genuinely deserve to play, ensuring no prior distinctions are made.

What is Ancelotti's philosophy for Brazil's success in the World Cup?

Ancelotti's philosophy for Brazil's success is to avoid concentrating all expectations on a single individual. He believes all technical and qualitative capabilities must be collectively directed towards helping the national team win the World Cup as a unified squad.