Ronaldo urges Ancelotti to recall Neymar for World Cup

Brazil legend Ronaldo has urged coach Carlo Ancelotti to bring Neymar back for the 2026 World Cup. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 games, has not played since his knee injury in October 2023. The 33-year-old returned to Santos this year but is yet to feature under Ancelotti.

In the build-up to the 2026 World Cup in North America, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has urged head coach Carlo Ancelotti to recall Neymar to the national team. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, has not featured for the Selecao since October 2023 after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during an international match against Uruguay. The setback followed a disappointing stint with Saudi club Al Hilal, where he managed just five appearances and one goal before his long layoff.

Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025, the 33-year-old forward has been playing regularly, but Ancelotti has left him out of his first four squads, including September’s World Cup qualifiers. The Italian coach has stressed that Neymar must regain full fitness to contribute effectively at the highest level. Ronaldo, however, emphasized Neymar’s unique influence on the team, insisting that Brazil lacks another player of his calibre.

The two-time World Cup winner expressed confidence that Neymar’s presence could significantly boost Brazil’s chances in the tournament. Despite injury setbacks, including missing Brazil’s 2019 Copa America triumph, Neymar remains a central figure in the country’s football hopes, and public expectations are mounting for his return.