Guimaraes: Ancelotti does have plans to get Neymar back, the national team door is always open

September 8th ESPN reported that although Neymar was not recruited, Brazilian coach Ancelotti still plans to allow him to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes also expressed this view in an exclusive interview with ESPN.

Guimaraes said the national team's door is always open to the Santos No. 10 player: "The coach is trying different ways. Obviously, any team wants to have a player like Neymar, and his history says it all. He is the protagonist of our past few years and the national team's top scorer."

"When you talk about the offense, you have to mention Neymar. I believe that this situation will be resolved. I think the coach does have plans to get him back. For players like Neymar, the national team's door is not only open, but always open."

After last Thursday's press conference before the 3-0 victory over Chile at the Maracana Stadium, Ancelotti solved Not calling Neymar is a technical decision: "This is normal, a technical decision based on many factors. It includes the current performance of the player, past achievements and physical condition. Physical fitness standards are something we attach great importance to. I have said before that no one can question Neymar's technical level."

"We are mainly concerned about his physical condition now, but it is not just for him, but all the players here. The competition of this national team is very fierce, with about 70 players likely to be included in the World Cup roster."

According to ESPN, for the technical team, Neymar is an important part of the World Cup plan, but he has not yet reached the level he needs to return to the team. Neymar's last appearance for the national team was on October 17, 2023, when he left the court with an injury in the first half of Montevideo's match against Uruguay, when the head coach was still Fernando Dinis.

In addition to next Tuesday's match against Bolivia, Brazil will also play against South Korea and Japan on October 10 and 14, respectively, and play friendly matches with African and European teams on international match days in November and March. In June 2026, the team will gather again for the last friendly match, and the final World Cup lineup will be determined. Ancelotti and his assistants hope to see a better form Neymar by then, and eventually call him into the team.