Ancelotti comes to watch Neymar, who isn’t playing — World Cup chances minimal

No matter how much his playing level may have declined, and despite many believing he is no longer “that player” with the same destructive power and influence, there is still a strong belief among the Brazilian public that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar, and one of the greatest dribblers of all time, still has something to show and prove at the upcoming World Cup — something that could ultimately benefit the national team greatly.

Coach Ancelotti is under enormous pressure because of Neymar. Questions about whether he will bring him back into the national team — where he has not played for two and a half years — never stop.

Speculation is constant: will he be ready, and to what extent? But the experienced Italian remains tight-lipped for now. He promises nothing and insists that everything depends on the player — specifically whether he can get himself physically ready.

Neymar’s absence from the Santos squad list for tomorrow’s league match against Mirassol was met with great surprise and frustration within the Brazilian Football Confederation. The reason is that the coach had long announced he would attend that match, precisely to see the 34-year-old captain live. However…

“The fact that Santos explained Neymar’s absence as muscle fatigue that could potentially lead to injury clearly implies and signals to Ancelotti that the team’s biggest star is far from full fitness,” Globo Esporte wrote.

“This rest could cost Neymar a place in the squad that will be announced on March 16, because the Italian will not have enough time to see him in action as he had planned. By then, Neymar will have played only one match — against Corinthians next week. And at that moment the coach will be busy watching the Botafogo vs Flamengo game.”

Globo also explains that Neymar had 12 days to prepare for Tuesday’s match against Mirassol, but during the last few training sessions he only worked in the gym and did some light running, without taking part in team activities.

Even though Neymar will not play, Carlo Ancelotti will still attend the Santos vs Mirassol match so as not to give the impression that he traveled only to watch a single player — although that is actually an open secret and the real reason for his trip to Sao Paulo.

During the upcoming international break, Brazil will face France and Croatia on March 26 and 31. Ancelotti will announce the final World Cup squad in May.