As Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti listed off names at the live event to unveil his Brazil roster for the 2026 World Cup, fans cheered some of their favorite players’ inclusions.
Only one provoked a reaction so big it caused the Italian to stop. “Neymar Jr., Santos,” Ancelotti intoned, setting off cheers, drumming and several fans singing “Ole, Ole, Ole Ole! Neymar! Neymar!”
“Should we continue?” Ancelotti asked before reading off the final three names: Raphinha, Rayan and Vinicius Jr. But while those three players are currently playing at some of the world’s top clubs — Barcelona, Bournemouth and Real Madrid — none provoked the emotion of the historic Brazil No. 10.
There have been months of debate about whether or not the former Barcelona superstar would make the roster. Currently playing at a high level with Santos in Brazil, the same club where Pele made his name and where Neymar made his professional debut, the 34-year-old still offers enough for Ancelotti to include him — even if he hasn’t played for Brazil since October 2023.
It was then that Neymar suffered an ACL and meniscus injury that kept him out of almost every match played by Saudi club Al Hilal, as he struggled to return from that injury and suffered a new one.
There were question marks about Neymar heading into the 2022 World Cup as well, not about whether the PSG player still had the quality to suit up for the Selecao but rather if he was healthy. After sitting out the group stage with an ankle injury, Neymar scored in both Brazil’s Round of 16 win over South Korea and the 1-1 quarterfinal draw with Croatia that ended with the European side advancing in a penalty shootout.
Now, Ancelotti and Brazil’s cheering fans will hope Neymar can rediscover the magic he showed during his spells with Barcelona and PSG but has never been able to sustain with Brazil, other than a run to the 2021 Copa América final, which Brazil lost to Argentina on home soil.
Brazil opens its tournament with a Group C match against Morocco before tilts with Haiti and Scotland.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Neymar named to Brazil squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup