Ronaldo Nazario has renewed focus on Neymar’s uncertain future with the Brazilian national team after serious injuries and speculation about his return. Speaking publicly, Ronaldo urged caution, saying Neymar should avoid an immediate decision about his international career. After two years of major physical setbacks, he said, Neymar has no need to rush a decision about his place in the squad.
The extent of Neymar’s recent absence underscores the uncertainty. He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing against Uruguay in October 2023. The injury reportedly kept him out of 60 matches, including 23 consecutive Brazil fixtures. A separate right-calf injury later complicated his 2026 World Cup involvement: the CBF-confirmed grade-two tear carried a projected recovery period of 14 to 21 days, leaving little time before Brazil’s scheduled 13 June opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium.
Ronaldo’s remarks come as Brazil’s national team faces scrutiny, particularly after a disappointing World Cup campaign. He said Neymar’s participation in the tournament required large personal sacrifice given his recent injury history. Neymar was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-player squad despite not having featured in an international window under the coach since he took charge in May 2025. His recovery and motivation could shift quickly, Ronaldo said, leaving open the possibility that Ancelotti might still consider him for future call-ups.
The CBF later said Neymar would remain in New Jersey to continue rehabilitation and would not travel with Brazil for the group match against Haiti. On 17 June, he completed a separate training session after sustaining the calf injury in a Brazilian league defeat by Coritiba. A possible return for Brazil’s final group match against Scotland on 24 June in Miami depended on his medical progress. His tournament role was being assessed one recovery key stage at a time.
Reflecting on the team’s recent performance, Ronaldo said he had sent a message to Ancelotti, the current head coach of the Seleção. He described the return flight from the World Cup: only one player came back with the official delegation while the rest remained abroad. Ronaldo said this embarrassed the national side, contrasting it with the celebrations that would have followed a tournament victory.
Ronaldo also recalled a training incident involving a robot designed to mimic the playing styles of top strikers such as Mbappé and Haaland. He joked that Ancelotti should consider signing the robot, whose performance might be what Brazil needs to secure another World Cup title. The comment reflects the team’s ongoing search for solutions and the pressure on players and coaching staff to deliver results.
Debate over Neymar’s future is part of wider discussions about athlete comebacks and the challenge of returning to top form after injury. Paula Badosa’s recent run to a major tennis final after a difficult period has also drawn attention to the ability to recover required at the highest level. Her story, detailed in coverage of her Bastad tournament run, shows how career-defining moments can follow setbacks for elite athletes.
Neymar’s place in Brazil’s plans depends on both selection and availability; his international career has not reached a settled end. His long-term return after the 2023 ACL rupture was followed by another injury and a closely managed rehabilitation schedule during the 2026 tournament. Ancelotti’s decisions will depend on Neymar’s fitness and ability to sustain match involvement, while the CBF’s medical assessments remain basic to any return to the squad.
