Post by : Shakul

Brazilian superstar Neymar faces fresh uncertainty over his return to the national team after being ruled out of a domestic league match for Santos FC due to lingering muscle fatigue.

The 34-year-old forward was expected to feature in Santos’ Brazilian Championship match against Mirassol FC, but the club confirmed he would miss the game as a precaution. The decision comes at an awkward moment as Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti had planned to watch Neymar closely during the match.

According to reports, members of the Brazilian Football Confederation were surprised by Neymar’s absence, as the visit by Ancelotti was largely aimed at assessing the striker’s physical condition and readiness for an international comeback.

Neymar has not represented the Brazil national football team since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee ligament injury that disrupted his career. Although he returned to his boyhood club Santos in early 2025 after leaving Saudi Arabian football, the forward has struggled to maintain consistent fitness despite showing flashes of his trademark skill and creativity.

The Brazilian national team is expected to announce its squad soon for upcoming international friendlies against France national football team and Croatia national football team later this month. Missing recent club matches could weaken Neymar’s chances of making the squad, as Ancelotti has stressed that only fully fit players will be considered.

Competition for attacking places in Brazil’s lineup is also intense, with several in-form players currently performing well in Europe and domestic leagues. With the next FIFA World Cup scheduled to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in mid-2026, time is running out for Neymar to prove he can return to top form before the final squad selections are made.

Despite the setback, Santos officials believe the injury concern is minor and expect Neymar to return to action soon if his recovery progresses as planned.

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