Neymar Gets Six Month Deadline to Prove World Cup Fitness

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has given Neymar six months to show he is fit for the 2026 World Cup. The forward, who has three goals in 16 league games for Santos, has struggled with injuries since his ACL tear in 2023. Ancelotti said Neymar will be monitored closely before final squad decisions are made.

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that Neymar has six months to prove he is fit enough to make the final squad. The forward, now thirty three, has barely featured for the national team over the past two years due to a series of injuries, including the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in October 2023.

Despite returning to Santos in January to regain rhythm, recurring muscular problems have restricted him to just sixteen league appearances, in which he has scored three goals for a team battling relegation. Ancelotti addressed Neymar’s situation by confirming that the door remains open, but only if the veteran can demonstrate consistent fitness and form. The coach emphasised that the next six months are crucial, with Brazil closely monitoring him alongside other contenders to avoid errors in the final selection.

Neymar’s recent frustration after being substituted against Flamengo was brushed aside by Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who continues to back him. With the Brazilian league pausing on December seven before resuming, Neymar will have another chance to build momentum and convince Ancelotti that he deserves a place on football’s biggest stage.