Santos announced the lineup with Neymar as a starter for the match against Internacional in the 7th round of the Brasileirão on Wednesday (18/3) at Vila Belmiro. The 34-year-old player was not called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil national team, announced on Monday (16), but reacted with brief sadness and a focus on work. Ancelotti justified the absence due to Neymar not being 100% physically.
Santos faces Internacional at Vila Belmiro in the 7th round of the Brasileirão on Wednesday (18/3) at 21:30. The club announced the lineup with Neymar as starter: Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinícius, Adonis Frias, Zé Ivaldo and Escobar; Willian Arão, Christian Oliva and Neymar; Rony, Barreal and Gabriel Barbosa. This is Neymar's third Brasileirão game; he played 90 minutes against Corinthians in the 6th round, assisting Gabriel Barbosa in the 1-1 draw, but missed the Mirassol game due to muscular fatigue. The 34-year-old has not played for the national team since 2023, when he tore his ACL against Uruguay, and has dealt with recent injuries. Carlo Ancelotti's call-up, announced on 16/3, excluded the player. In a YouTube video '48 hours without filter', recorded between 14 and 16/3, Neymar reacted during a massage: “Pô, Ancelotti, e eu?”, he joked. Later, he commented: “Fico triste, óbvio, mas é isso. [...] Now it's about keep working, improve in everything and be prepared if an opportunity arises.” In the car: “I was upset, sad. But [...] page turned. [...] If the chance to play the World Cup arises, I want to be ready.” Talking to goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, he said: “I don't know” about the call-up. Ancelotti explained: “Why didn't I call him this time? Because he's not 100% and I need 100% players.” But added: “Neymar can be in the World Cup. If he can reach 100%, he can be there.” The final call-up for the 2026 World Cup is on May 18. A Folha column highlighted Neymar's poor performance against Corinthians on 15/3, with 45 ball touches, 3 out of 11 duels won, zero dribbles, and 70% pass accuracy.
