RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named Neymar in his squad for next month’s World Cup finals, despite all the controversy over his temperament and fitness.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, comes back following a prolonged absence due to a series of injuries that ​kept him out for much of the qualifying campaign, as ​the five-time champions pursue a record-extending sixth title.

Ancelotti, the 66-year-old Italian who became Brazil’s first foreign manager last year, had not previously called the former Barcelona and ​Paris Saint-Germain player. He has always insisted that ​Neymar’s inclusion would be based on fitness and form, not sentiment.

Neymar . . . recalled for the first time since 2023

He said: “I had all the ‌information ⁠I needed to make the best possible decision and create a list with as few errors as possible.”

Neymar, who has 79 international goals but has not featured for ​Brazil since 2023, ​has faced questions ⁠about his fitness and form following an injury-marred spell at Al Hilal and an underwhelming return to ​his boyhood club Santos last year.

The forward said ​on Sunday ⁠he was satisfied he had done all he could to prove he was fully fit and deserved a place in the squad. “Physically, I feel ⁠great. ​I’ve been improving with every game,” he ​told reporters after Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba.

Mixed reaction

Reaction across Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo has been characteristically passionate. Pundits are already debating whether his inclusion will disrupt the team’s current chemistry or provide the exact tactical catalyst needed to secure a historic sixth star.

Football analyst Juca Kfouri noted that Neymar’s role will likely differ from previous tournaments. “He is no longer expected to carry the entire weight of the nation alone. If he accepts being a mentor and a focal point rather than the sole savior, this could be a masterstroke.”

Taking to social media shortly after the announcement, Neymar posted a picture of his iconic number 10 shirt with a simple caption: “The story isn’t finished.”

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton.
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, D Santos, Gabriel Magalhães, Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley.
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Paquetá.
Forwards: Endrick, Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Neymar Jr, Vini Jr, Raphinha, Rayan.

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