Nobody does drama quite like Neymar. Not on the pitch, not off it, and certainly not in a squad announcement. Carlo Ancelotti stood up in Rio de Janeiro and read out that name and the crowd lost their minds. Hundreds of fans had gathered outside the Museum of Tomorrow just to hear it confirmed. He is going to the World Cup.
Let us just take stock of where Neymar actually is right now. He is 34 years old. He tore his ACL playing for Brazil against Uruguay in October 2023. He spent the better part of two and a half years in and out of rehab, back at Santos, trying to prove he could still play football at any level. In that time Ancelotti did not pick him once. He repeatedly said only players at 100 percent physical condition would be considered. And then he picks him anyway.
The reason Ancelotti gave is interesting. He did not just say Neymar earned it on merit. He said the dressing room wanted him. That Neymar's presence creates a better environment. That he could help for one minute, five minutes, ninety minutes or a penalty. Romario, Cafu and Zico had all lobbied publicly for his inclusion. The whole country had been pulling for him. So in the end it was partly football and partly something else entirely. It was cultural. It was Brazilian.
And here is the cruel irony of it all. Joao Pedro, Chelsea's player of the season with 15 goals and 26 goal contributions across all competitions, was left out. Pedro himself had said publicly that Neymar deserved to be at the World Cup. That Neymar represents what Messi is to Argentina for Brazil. He backed the man who ended up taking his spot.
So is this romance or madness? Honestly it is both at the same time. If Neymar comes on in a knockout game and produces a moment of magic to send Brazil through, nobody will question it. If he picks up another injury or fails to contribute a single meaningful thing, Ancelotti will face serious questions about whether sentiment got in the way of logic.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002. Twenty four years of hurt. They do not need romance right now. They need to win. But then again football without Neymar at a World Cup just feels like something is missing. Even at 34. Even after everything.
Let me know your thoughts.