Neymar Left Out Of Brazil Squad; Star Admits Being “Sad And Upset” As Retirement Hints Grow

The “Road to 26” has hit a significant roadblock for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Neymar Jr. shared a candid, emotional reaction to being excluded from Carlo Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad for the upcoming March friendlies against France and Croatia.

The 34-year-old, currently back at his boyhood club Santos FC, watched the press conference live on his YouTube channel as part of a new series, capturing his raw disappointment in real-time.

1. The Snub: “Hey Ancelotti, What About Me?”

In a clip titled “48 Hours Unfiltered,” Neymar is seen receiving a massage while watching the roster announcement on his phone. When his name was not called, he turned to the camera with a bittersweet laugh.

• The Reaction: “Hey Ancelotti… what about me?” he joked, before turning serious. “The national squad has been announced, and I have not been called up. I’m sad, obviously. But I’ll always support the team.”
• The Reasoning: Ancelotti addressed the omission directly, stating that Neymar is “not at 100%” following his long ACL recovery and recent muscle fatigue. Ancelotti had reportedly planned to scout Neymar in person during a recent Santos match, but the forward was rested as a precaution.

2. Retirement Rumors: The “Last World Cup”

Perhaps more shocking than the omission was Neymar’s admission that his legendary international career is nearing its conclusion.

• The Quote: “This is my last World Cup… I don’t even know if this will be my last year with the national team. My career is coming to an end and I have to understand that,” Neymar said.
• The Legacy: With 79 goals, Neymar has surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s top scorer, but he admitted that he is telling his family to “enjoy it as much as you can” because the end is in sight.

3. The Path to North America 2026

Despite the current setback, the door is not yet closed for the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

• The Deadline: Brazil’s final 26-man World Cup squad must be submitted by May 18, 2026. This gives Neymar exactly eight weeks to prove his fitness in the Brazilian league.
• Ancelotti’s Stance: “Neymar can be at the World Cup if he’s 100%,” the coach insisted. “He doesn’t need to prove his quality, just his physical readiness.”

Brazil’s March 2026 International Schedule