The controversy surrounding Neymar Jr.’s absence from Carlo Ancelotti’s roster for Brazil’s friendlies against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31, respectively, has been the talk of the town among players, analysts, and soccer legends.
Romrio de Souza Faria, an icon of the Verdeamarela, did not hide his disagreement with Carletto’s stance.
Romrio backs Ney
The Italian coach reiterated on several occasions that Neymar (or any other player) would only be called up if he was feeling good and “100%” healthy. The truth is that the Santos forward had just missed the match against Mirassol due to a muscle strain, and although he then played two consecutive games (against Corinthians and Internacional), he and Cuca, his coach, decided he should not play against Cruzeiro, so as not to expose him to an even more serious injury.
Furthermore, the lack of continuity with the Canarinha is another key factor: he hasn’t played for the Brazilian national team since October 17, 2023, after suffering a serious knee injury in a South American qualifier against Uruguay.
However, while Ancelotti seems to be prioritizing his players’ physical condition and a new generation of players like Raphinha, Vini, or Endrick, the 1994 World Cup champion believes he is wasting his most powerful weapon. “A star player has to play,” Romrio began in statements to Jornal O Dia (via GOAL).
“The national team is the place for the best and most talented players. World Cup preparation lasts a month, which is enough time for an athlete to recover, both physically and technically, to get into the rhythm of the game, and to build chemistry with the group,” the former striker argued.
He also explained that it’s better to have a star player like Neymar, “even when he’s not at 100%,” than “to call up any other player,” insisting that the team shouldn’t do without him and his talent and contribution to the squad.
“I still hold out hope that Neymar will prove on the field, in the Brazilian Championship, that he deserves to be on the final roster and bring home the sixth World Cup title,” he added with full confidence in the 34-year-old star, asserting that without him, the chances of becoming champions are reduced.
However, Romrio assured that his support and heart are with Brazil even if Ancelotti decides not to include Ney on the roster for the 2026 World Cup, but he took the opportunity to send a forceful and strong message to the coach:
I want to make it clear that, although I am fully in favor of Neymar going, I will continue to support the conquest of the ‘Hexa’ even if he doesn’t go. But the message is clear: Pay attention, sir!
In this edition, Brazil will be in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. They will make their debut against Morocco on Saturday, June 13, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. They will then face Haiti on Friday, June 19, at Philadelphia’s Soldier Field, and on Wednesday, June 24, they will take on Scotland at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Prior to that, there will be friendly matches in which Ney will not participate: on March 26, they will face France in Boston, and on March 31, they will face Croatia in Orlando.
Then, before the tournament, they will bid farewell to their home crowd at the Maracan in a match against Panama on May 31, and on June 6, in Cleveland, they will face Egypt.
Meanwhile, only time will tell if Neymar will wear Brazil’s colors in the tournament.
