The head coach of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, has said Neymar needs to prove he is in “good physical condition”, if he wants to play at the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar has not played for his country since October 2023.
The 33-year-old also did not make both of Ancelotti’s squads so far amid ongoing injury issues.
In reaction to his exclusion, Neymar insisted it was for technical reasons and not fitness.
But Ancelotti has now fired a big warning to Brazil’s all-time leading scorer.
“We are not going to observe how Neymar plays, obviously. Everyone knows his talent,” Ancelotti told ESPN Brasil.
“Everyone wants Neymar in the national team in good physical condition. I spoke with him, and I said ‘you have time to prepare in the best way to be there and help the team try to do their best in the World Cup.’”