Football legend Ronaldo Nazario wants Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, to select Neymar for the 2026 World Cup, saying the team is much better with him. 

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, has been out with a serious knee injury, and while he is back playing for Santos, Ancelotti has made it clear that Neymar must prove he is in his best shape. 

The coach plans to use the 33-year-old in a new, more central position because the physical demands of modern football are too high for him to play on the wing. 

This debate is huge because Brazil is desperate to win the World Cup after a very long wait.

Ronaldo, a champion in 1994 and 2002, was unequivocal in his support, arguing that no other player in the Brazilian squad can match Neymar’s creative ability. 

“He is a decisive player for the Brazilian Selecao. We don’t have another player like Neymar,” Ronaldo stated. 

He added that public expectation for the forward to make his fourth World Cup appearance is immense:”The people hope 100 percent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he’s not there.” 

This strong endorsement comes despite Neymar’s long layoff, which began with a torn ACL and meniscus in October 2023. 

Ronaldo defended his fellow star, saying he sees a “strong desire to be at the World Cup and help the Brazilian team.”

The current Brazil coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has not yet selected Neymar since taking the reins in May 2025. 

Ancelotti, a winner praised by Ronaldo as “a wonderful person… Tactically, he’s brilliant,” has consistently prioritized conditioning. 

He told ESPN Brasil on September 13 that Neymar’s return is conditional: “If he is in his best physical condition, he will have no problems being in the national team.” 

The coach also revealed a tactical shift for the forward, envisioning him in a central attacking midfield role rather than on the wing. 

Ancelotti stressed that the physical demands of the sport today mean Neymar “can’t play on the outside because modern football needs forwards who have physical quality.”

The debate over Neymar’s fitness is compounded by Brazil’s disappointing journey to the World Cup. 

They qualified for the tournament but finished fifth in the South American standings, their worst-ever qualifying performance, including six losses. 

The team is under immense pressure to revitalize the squad and reclaim the title. 

Neymar, who returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 after a short spell at Al Hilal, continues to battle fitness issues, including a muscular problem last month. 

While he has shown flashes of his ability in the Brazilian Serie A, his ability to handle the grueling World Cup schedule remains in question. 

His complete physical recovery will be the key test for Ancelotti and the final hurdle for Neymar to join stars like Vinicius Junior and Raphinha as Brazil aims to end its long trophy drought.