Neymar doesn’t want to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian star has shown he’s willing to do anything to earn a spot on Carlo Ancelotti’s roster for the Brazil national team, and taking advantage of the two friendlies for which he wasn’t called up, he underwent knee surgery.

The Santos FC star made a key decision for his athletic future and underwent regenerative surgery to speed up his recovery and get back to peak physical condition, sending a clear message to Carletto: he wants to play in his fourth World Cup.

Ney underwent surgery quietly to convince Ancelotti

The 34-year-old forward had already decided to have knee surgery after last season’s Brasileirao, but now he has gone under the knife again to undergo a regenerative treatment using platelet-rich plasma to strengthen the joint tissue.

Taking advantage of the friendly matches against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31, the Santos star strategically scheduled the surgery to avoid interfering with his club’s schedule and, at the same time, gain valuable time in the race against the clock ahead of soccer’s biggest tournament.

This procedure was confirmed by Santos coach Cuca, who revealed that Neymar will be absent from upcoming matches for this reason:

“He underwent knee surgery during the FIFA international break. He didn’t train. He spent a few days recovering from the procedure, which was a medical matter,” the coach explained ahead of the Copa Sudamericana debut against Cuenca.

“He won’t be traveling this week due to a specific training program focused on strength, speed, and endurance, consisting of two sessions,” added Cuca.

The decision was no coincidence, as Neymar knows he’s behind in Ancelotti’s plans, who has made it clear he’ll only call up players who are 100% physically fit. In that context, the forward is looking to send a clear signal that he can still be a game-changer for the Canarinha.

However, in addition to his injuries, a lack of match fitness could be another determining factor in Carletto’s decision: Ney hasn’t played for the Verdeamarela since the South American qualifier against Uruguay on October 17, 2023, when he suffered a knee injury; with Santos, he has played six matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti is set to announce the final World Cup roster on May 18, the date when we will finally find out if Ney’s efforts paid off.