Neymar’s long road back: Injury, Santos redemption and Ancelotti’s final call
For nearly three years, Neymar watched Brazil from afar: injured, frustrated, and uncertain whether he would ever wear the famous yellow shirt on football’s biggest stage again.
Now, after one of the most turbulent chapters of his career, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has completed an emotional return to the national team, earning a place in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. It will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance, though few expected the journey back to end this way.
The injury that changed everything
The defining moment came in Montevideo during a South American World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Brazil lost 2-0, but the scoreline quickly became secondary as Neymar left the pitch in tears after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in his left knee.
At the time, he was playing for Al Hilal, and the injury immediately ruled him out of the 2024 Copa America while placing his entire international future in doubt.
The recovery process proved painfully slow. Neymar spent more than a year away from competitive football before finally returning to action 370 days later.
“What I want most in life is to play football,” Neymar said emotionally after his comeback. “I suffered every day I was off the pitch.”
The physical pain was only part of the struggle. Questions about his fitness, durability and motivation followed him constantly as Brazil began preparing for a new era.
A return home to Santos
In January 2025, Neymar made the decision that reshaped his career trajectory: he returned to Santos FC, the club where everything began.
The move shocked world football. After spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Hilal, Neymar chose familiarity over glamour, hoping Santos could help him rediscover both rhythm and confidence.
But the reunion was far from smooth.
Muscular injuries repeatedly interrupted his season and cost him a chance to immediately return to the national team. Then-Brazil coach Dorival Junior initially recalled him for World Cup qualifiers, only for Neymar to withdraw because of discomfort.
As Santos drifted dangerously close to relegation, criticism surrounding Neymar intensified once again.
Yet when the club needed him most, the 34-year-old delivered.
With five goals and one assist across four decisive matches, Neymar inspired Santos’ survival push and helped secure qualification for the Copa Sudamericana. The performances reignited belief that the former prodigy still had something left to offer.
Following the turnaround, he renewed his contract and underwent further treatment on his troublesome knee in a final bid to return to top-level football before the World Cup.
Tension with Ancelotti
When Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in May 2025, Neymar’s international comeback remained uncertain.
Despite improving form at Santos, the Brazilian star was repeatedly left out of Ancelotti’s squads, creating visible tension between player and coach.
“Everyone knows my style,” Neymar said after one omission. “I’m available, I’m an athlete, and I still feel good. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”
Ancelotti, however, maintained a more cautious position.
“I’m not going to take a player who lacks intensity for the entire World Cup,” the Italian explained at the time. “Neymar doesn’t need to prove his quality. The issue is physical condition.”
The disagreement became one of Brazil’s biggest football storylines leading into the tournament.
Then came the moment that exploded across social media.
Inside the Santos dressing room, Neymar lay on a massage table watching Ancelotti announce Brazil’s squad for the final international break before the World Cup. When his name was omitted, he laughed and joked toward the television:
“And me, Ancelotti?”
The clip quickly went viral, capturing both Neymar’s frustration and his determination to keep fighting for a return.
The final recall
Eventually, consistency changed everything.
Ancelotti and his staff closely monitored Neymar’s performances throughout the season and became convinced the forward was physically capable of contributing again.
When Brazil finally unveiled their 26-man World Cup squad in Rio de Janeiro, Neymar’s name was included.
The announcement triggered huge celebrations among supporters and marked the official end of his nearly three-year absence from international football.
“We evaluated Neymar throughout the year,” Ancelotti explained. “He played consistently and is in good physical condition. He’s an important player for this World Cup.”
The coach also emphasised Neymar’s leadership and influence inside the dressing room.
“His experience in competitions like this and the affection he has within the group can help create a better atmosphere and improve the team’s performance,” Ancelotti added.
One last mission
For Neymar, the recall represents more than another tournament appearance.
It is a final opportunity to capture the one achievement still missing from his extraordinary career: the World Cup trophy.
He has already conquered South America and Europe at club level. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. Yet the absence of a World Cup title has long defined the unfinished part of his legacy.
That pursuit carried him through surgery, rehabilitation, criticism, failed comebacks and public doubts.
Now, after returning home to Santos and rebuilding himself piece by piece, Neymar has one more chance to complete the story.
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