Ancelotti speaks frankly about Neymar after his departure from the Brazilian national team

Neymar has closed a 16-year chapter in the Brazil shirt, yet it is Carlo Ancelotti's recent remarks that have especially captured the spotlight.

Brazil officially closes a historic chapter as Neymar announces his retirement from the national team after 16 years of service. According to ESPN Brazil, coach Carlo Ancelotti not only expressed respect for the 34-year-old star's decision but also defended his choice to call him up for the 2026 World Cup, despite pre-tournament controversies over his fitness.

The 2026 World Cup had been identified by Neymar as his final milestone in the Selecao jersey. The forward even returned to Santos to prioritize regaining his fitness rather than continuing to play in Europe. However, Brazil's elimination in the round of 16 ended his international journey. Notably, Ancelotti insisted that bringing Neymar to the world's biggest football festival was still the correct decision, while also hinting at a major squad overhaul aimed at the 2030 World Cup.

In a conversation with ESPN journalist Pedro Ivo Almeida, the Italian tactician showed respect for Neymar's decision to leave the national team and viewed it as an inevitable rule of football. He stated: "I think players like Neymar, who shared his decision yesterday, deserve respect. In history, when one generation ends, a new generation must emerge, and that generation needs to be better than the previous one." This statement has been seen by Brazilian media as the opening words for a period of squad transition.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti also honestly admitted that what he regrets most is Neymar's preparation before the 2026 World Cup. The 67-year-old manager said: "The only thing that makes me dissatisfied is that Neymar could have prepared better in the lead-up to the tournament. He should have been ready from the first match instead of only being able to play in the fourth. That is the only regrettable thing." Neymar was later confirmed to have a Grade 2 calf muscle tear, causing him to miss the opening two matches against Morocco and Haiti.

Despite his limited professional contribution, Ancelotti still praised the spirit of the former Santos star. He emphasized: "I think Neymar couldn't contribute as expected professionally because he wasn't physically fit. But in terms of attitude, he was wonderful. I really like Neymar, I thanked him for his spirit and behavior. I still believe including him in the 26-man World Cup squad was the right decision." According to ESPN Brazil, this is also a message affirming that the Italian manager has no regrets about his decision.

Closing his remarks, Ancelotti confirmed that Brazil will undergo a major overhaul as many veterans like Casemiro, Danilo, and Alex Sandro are likely to end their international careers. However, he still wants to retain some leaders like Marquinhos, while also considering Alisson's future to create a balance between experience and youth. With Neymar officially saying goodbye, the Selecao under Ancelotti is ready to open a completely new era.