Neymar Ruled Out of Brazils World Cup Qualifiers

After the latest injury setback, Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. The 33 year old Santos forward has struggled with fitness ever since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023. Although he resumed light training earlier this year, recurring muscular problems have continued to derail his comeback.

Most recently, Neymar picked up a hamstring strain during a training session last Thursday, forcing Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to leave him out of the squad. Speaking at a press conference, Ancelotti emphasized that Neymar’s absence is purely due to physical concerns. He noted that the coaching staff and fans are well aware of Neymar’s quality, but insisted that the forward must return to full fitness before he can contribute effectively to the national team.