Neymar bids farewell to Brazil, Ancelotti's single statement stirs up a storm

Following Neymar's formal departure from the Brazil squad, manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the choice made by his protégé. The Italian strategist stated he does not regret summoning the 34-year-old for the 2026 World Cup and hinted at a youth-focused overhaul for the national team.

Brazil has officially closed a historic chapter as Neymar announced his retirement from the national team after 16 years of service. According to ESPN Brazil, coach Carlo Ancelotti not only expressed respect for the 34-year-old's decision but also defended his choice to include him in the 2026 World Cup squad, despite debates over his fitness before the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup was originally identified by Neymar as his final milestone in the yellow jersey. The forward even returned to Santos to prioritize regaining his fitness rather than continuing his career in Europe. However, Brazil's elimination in the round of 16 ended his international journey. Notably, Ancelotti insisted that bringing Neymar to the world's biggest football event was still the right call, while also revealing plans for a major squad overhaul ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

In a conversation with ESPN journalist Pedro Ivo Almeida, the Italian coach showed respect for Neymar's decision to leave the national team, viewing it as an inevitable part of football. He stated: "I think players like Neymar, who shared his decision yesterday, deserve respect. In history, when one generation comes to an end, a new generation must emerge, and that generation needs to be better than the previous one." This statement was seen by Brazilian media as the opening remarks for a period of squad transition.

Still, Ancelotti honestly admitted that what he regrets most is Neymar's preparation before the 2026 World Cup. The 67-year-old manager said: "The only thing that made me unhappy is that Neymar could have prepared better in the period before the tournament. He should have been ready from the first match instead of being able to play only from the fourth match. That is the only regret." Neymar was later diagnosed with a grade 2 calf muscle tear, which caused him to miss the opening two matches against Morocco and Haiti.

Despite his limited technical contribution, Ancelotti still praised the spirit of the former Santos star. He emphasized: "I think Neymar could not contribute technically as expected because he was not in optimal physical condition. But in terms of attitude, he was excellent. I really like Neymar, I thanked him for his spirit and behavior. I still believe that including him in the 26-man World Cup squad was the right decision." According to ESPN Brazil, this message also confirms that the Italian manager has no regrets about his decision.

Concluding his remarks, Ancelotti confirmed that Brazil will undergo a major overhaul, as many veterans such as Casemiro, Danilo, and Alex Sandro are likely to end their international careers. However, he still wants to retain some leaders like Marquinhos, while considering the future of Alisson to strike a balance between experience and youth. With Neymar officially saying goodbye, the Selecao under Ancelotti is ready to usher in a completely new era.