Neymar has been through a lot to get back to this point. An ACL tear against Uruguay in October 2023 wiped out a significant chunk of his career, and a difficult spell at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia didn’t help his case either.
But a return to Santos, the club where it all started, changed things. He found his footing again in 2026 and suddenly, the conversation around him shifted completely.
On Sunday, with Santos hosting Coritiba, Neymar gave everyone a reminder of just how much this moment means to him. Standing on the field during the national anthem, holding his daughter in his arms, he was visibly emotional, wiping away tears.
It wasn’t hard to understand why. The Brazil squad announcement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for Monday, and this was his last chance to make a statement before Carlo Ancelotti finalizes his selections.
Neymar’s Road Back to the Brazil Squad
Ancelotti had been clear about his stance for months. Fitness was the only thing that mattered when it came to Neymar. No fitness, no call-up. But injuries to other attacking players shifted the picture, and Estevao’s hamstring injury was a significant blow to the squad’s depth.
Combined with Neymar’s strong recent form at Santos since returning from injury in February, Ancelotti’s position evolved.
Neymar was included in Brazil’s preliminary 55-man squad last week. Earning one of the final 26 spots is still a much harder ask, but he hasn’t stopped building his case.
The numbers behind him are hard to ignore. Neymar has 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, making him the nation’s all-time leading scorer after surpassing Pelé in 2023. He’s played a key role in each of the last three World Cups and spent time at clubs like FC Barcelona before landing in Saudi Arabia.
Monday’s announcement will determine whether all of this adds up to a place in Ancelotti’s final squad. For Neymar, few moments in his career have carried this much weight.
Related: Belgium 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad Announcement Leaves 8 Notable Players Out
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
