"If he deserves it, he'll go." That's all Hulk had to say about whether Neymar should be in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. Not exactly a ringing endorsement from a former teammate.
Pressed for more, Hulk deflected — "I'm not the one who has to decide" — and moved on. In isolation it's a nothing answer. In the context of Brazil's current squad uncertainty, the silence says plenty.
Neymar's comeback isn't convincing anyone yet
Neymar hasn't played for Brazil since rupturing his knee in October 2023. He's back at Santos and scoring goals, but consistency and fitness remain open questions. At 32, Brazil's all-time leading scorer shouldn't have to fight for his place — yet here we are.
Ancelotti has kept the door open publicly, but the language is conditional. "He still has two months to show that he has the qualities to play in the next World Cup," the Italian told L'Equipe. That's not a guarantee. That's a warning dressed in diplomat's clothing.
The coach did acknowledge progress: "After his knee injury, Neymar has made a good comeback; he's scoring goals. He needs to continue in this direction and improve his fitness." Encouraging, but far from settled.
A favourable group, an unsettled squad
Brazil land in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland — a draw that looks manageable on paper. But squad selection still isn't sorted, and if Neymar goes in underdone, the liability risk is real. A half-fit Neymar chasing games at a World Cup is a very different proposition to a locked-in one controlling them.
The problem for anyone pricing up Brazil's tournament chances is exactly this: the gap between Neymar's ceiling and his current floor is wider than it's been at any point in his international career. That uncertainty is baked into every odds market around the Seleção right now.
Ancelotti's decision won't be made on reputation. He's said as much. And with teammates offering responses like Hulk's, there's no groundswell of dressing room pressure pushing the coach's hand either.
Two months. Goals at Santos. That's what Neymar has to work with.
