Brazilian icon Neymar has publicly shared his heartbreak following his exclusion from the national team roster for the upcoming high-profile friendlies against France and Croatia. The veteran Santos attacker was a notable absence from the squad list unveiled on Monday by Seleção head coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian strategist justified the decision by citing concerns over the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star’s physical condition, asserting that the forward has yet to reach peak match fitness.
The snub comes as a significant blow to the legendary playmaker, who has been working toward a consistent return to the international stage. During a media appearance at a promotional event in Sao Paulo, the forward did not hide his emotional reaction to the news, acknowledging the difficulty of missing out on the opportunity to represent his country in the final stages of the current international window.
Neymar addressed his absence directly, emphasizing his commitment to proving his readiness through his performances at the club level:
“I’m upset, sad, about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after gam. We are going to achieve our goal. There is still one final call-up left, and the dream lives on. That is it, we are in this together.”
Despite the setback, the forward remains optimistic about his long-term prospects under Ancelotti’s leadership. With one final squad selection looming before the next major tournament cycle, Neymar is determined to use his time at Santos to regain the physical sharpness the coaching staff demands. The exclusion highlights Ancelotti’s uncompromising stance on player fitness as he prepares his side to face elite European competition, leaving the door open for Neymar only if he can demonstrate a complete return to form.
