Neymar doesn’t want to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Brazil star has shown he is willing to do anything to join Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad, taking advantage of not being called up for two friendlies to undergo knee surgery.
The Santos FC star made an important decision for his competitive future, undergoing regenerative surgery to speed up his recovery and return to top form, sending a clear message to Caretto that he wants to play in his fourth World Cup.
Ney quietly underwent surgery to convince Ancelotti
The 34-year-old forward had already decided to undergo knee surgery after last season’s Brasileira Run, but will now go under the knife again to undergo regenerative treatment using platelet-rich plasma to strengthen the joint tissue.
Taking advantage of friendlies against France and Croatia on March 26th and 31st, the Santos star strategically scheduled his surgery to avoid interfering with his club’s schedule, while also gaining valuable time in the race against time ahead of soccer’s biggest tournament.
Santos coach Kuka confirmed the procedure and revealed that Neymar will miss future matches for the following reasons:
“He had a knee operation during the FIFA International holidays. He did not train. He took a few days to recover from the surgery, but it was a medical problem,” the coach explained ahead of his Copa Sudamericana debut against Cuenca.
Kuka added: “I will not be traveling this week due to a special training program consisting of two sessions focusing on strength, speed and endurance.”
The decision was no coincidence, as Neymar is aware that Ancelotti’s plans have been delayed, having vowed to only call up players who are 100% fit. In that context, the forward aims to send a clear signal that he can still be a game-changer for Canarinha.
However, in addition to injury, lack of match fitness could be another deciding factor in Carlet’s decision. Ney has not played for Verde Amarera since October 17, 2023, in a South American qualifying match against Uruguay, when he injured his knee. He played in six games for Santos, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti is set to announce his final World Cup squad on May 18th, the day we will finally find out whether Ney’s efforts have paid off.
