Neymar celebrated his 34th birthday on Thursday, a fact that may provoke some unease among fans who envision the Brazilian icon as forever youthful.
However, the countdown to the FIFA World Cup is what truly concerns him: just 18 weeks remain. This leaves Neymar around 15 weeks to prove his fitness and earn a place in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad, putting him in a race against time from a standstill.
Securing the World Cup trophy is Neymar’s ultimate aspiration, a capstone to his illustrious, vibrant, and at times contentious career. For many, this could represent a chance for redemption.
This perspective may seem harsh, given that Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and has clinched both the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. Nevertheless, in the court of public opinion—possibly even in his own—it seems Neymar has not fully met the lofty expectations placed upon him.
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It’s important to note that Neymar’s journey has come with immense expectations. Over 15 years ago, he embarked on a career under the pressure of needing to achieve both a Ballon D’Or and a World Cup victory. The former may have slipped from his grasp, but he clings to the hope of making an impact in North America this summer. This dream has fueled him through rigorous rehabilitation and training since he suffered a severe knee injury while playing for Brazil in October 2023.
Nearly 2.5 years later, convincing evidence of his full recovery remains elusive. His return to Santos last year devolved into a prolonged ordeal of frustration.
There is speculation that Neymar may have overexerted himself in an attempt to make a national team comeback last March, causing a series of injuries that prevented him from building momentum. While he can still exhibit precision with dead balls and deliver accurate passes, questions linger about his agility and ability to influence high-stakes matches. If he possesses those qualities, they may be reserved for the 2026 World Cup.
Recently, during the closing days of the 2025 league season, Neymar opted to delay a minor knee procedure to avoid relegation for Santos in the critical final three rounds. The opponents didn’t push him—two that were already relegated and another fielding reserves. Quite the contrast to the pressures of a World Cup match.
He is now focused on overcoming the recovery from knee surgery and regaining match fitness. Thankfully, modifications to the Brazilian calendar may work in his favor.
Organizing soccer matches in Brazil has always posed challenges due to the country’s vast size and distinct characteristics. Historically, Brazilian soccer has regional roots, with 27 separate state championships reflecting its geography. However, the national league—established in 1971—has gradually overshadowed state competitions. Where state leagues once occupied half the year, they now take place mainly in the initial months, giving way to the national league starting early in April.
If the traditional schedule were still in place, Neymar would find his task more formidable. Yet national team coach Carlo Ancelotti is proactively engaging with Brazilian football, even though his European perspective may result in some disdain for regional competitions. He’s expressed that Neymar’s case for a recall will hinge on his performances in the national league, which now kicks off much earlier than usual.
The national league commenced on January 28. For a time, it’s set to hold midweek matches while weekends are reserved for a condensed state championship. This setup allows Neymar to make his comeback amid challenging competition right from the outset.
There were initial hopes that he might return in a second-round match against São Paulo, on the eve of his birthday. However, the decision as to whether he would play has been deferred until the weekend. One concern with a shortened state championship is that a team easing into the competition can face the risk of an embarrassing relegation. After seven winless games across all competitions, Santos now finds itself in exactly such a predicament and is counting on Neymar to help avert disaster against relatively weak opponents.
The more crucial battles lie ahead in the Brazilian league. Next Thursday, Santos will visit Athletico Paranaense. Neymar may skip this fixture due to the synthetic pitch, which he’s voiced concerns over as a potential injury risk. Following that, they will face Vasco da Gama, the very match where Neymar suffered a despairing exit in the previous year, after a stunning 6-0 loss. This match could serve as an ideal stage for his resurgence.
And he must make an impactful return—not only due to the pressing timeline but also because Ancelotti has set high standards. Neymar must prove he deserves a spot in the Brazil squad. The veteran coach has consistently faced inquiries about Neymar and has been transparent about his criteria for selection; there will be no room for players unable to contribute significantly to the team.
“Modern football demands more than mere talent,” Ancelotti emphasized late last year. “It also requires physical fitness and intensity. If Neymar shows he deserves to play, demonstrating that he is better than the alternatives, he will earn his place in the World Cup. But this is contingent on him being at 100%, not 80%.”
If Neymar can regain his fitness, where might he fit into the team? Ancelotti categorizes his attacking choices into three distinct types, and Neymar does not comfortably fit the wing-player role.
“I believe he should play in a central position,” the coach stated. “Not out wide since modern wingers are expected to engage defensively.”
Next, there are traditional No. 9 target-men, such as Richarlison, Igor Jesus, and Pedro from Flamengo. Yet again, this doesn’t align with Neymar’s style.
This leaves the false 9 role, or a blend of No. 9 and No. 10, in which a striker operates slightly deeper, creating passing options for players behind him and opportunities for those ahead. Raphinha from Chelsea could fit into this dynamically. Ancelotti has shown keen interest in Matheus Cunha, who has been a key asset during Ancelotti’s tenure. Another strong candidate is Chelsea’s João Pedro.
The competition for a World Cup spot is intense and may become even fiercer. Neymar could find himself in a direct competition with Endrick, the young striker on loan from Real Madrid, who has made a remarkable impact in Lyon.
At just 19, Endrick has time on his side, whereas Neymar, at 34, faces an urgent moment: it’s now or never for a final chance at World Cup glory.