Rio de Janeiro: In a development that has sent ripples of anxiety through football fans worldwide, Brazilian superstar Neymar missed coach Carlo Ancelotti’s very first training session with the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While the rest of the Selecao squad took to the pitch under the guidance of the Italian tactician, Neymar was instead sent to a private clinic.
According to team officials, the forward’s absence from the main group is part of a planned roadmap to complete his ongoing fitness recovery process rather than a sudden setback. Ancelotti, who recently finalized his 26-man World Cup squad, has been very transparent about Neymar’s status, emphasizing that the Santos star was selected purely based on his progressive fitness and technical weight, rather than sentimentality.
Before his inclusion, Ancelotti and the Brazil hierarchy reportedly held clear discussions with Neymar, detailing that he will not have an automatic starting role or the captaincy, and must earn his place on merit. While the team management downplays the incident, describing the private clinic visit as a routine measure to fine-tune his physical condition, the external media pressure is already mounting on whether the 34-year-old can withstand the extreme high-intensity demands of Ancelotti’s tactical system. Brazil is scheduled to kick off its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey, leaving Neymar a race against time to reach 100% match fitness.
