Neymar Fumes After Wrong Substitution – Will He Make the World Cup?

Brazilian forward Neymar has stirred controversy with his recent on-field behavior and comments as he races against time to prove his fitness and earn a return to the national team for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 34-year-old, who has not played for Brazil since October 2023, is under intense pressure.

Neymar, currently playing for Santos in Brazil's Serie A, has a career marked by injuries that have kept him sidelined for long stretches and caused him to miss key matches. Here are the latest developments surrounding the star.

What happened to Neymar in Santos' match?

Neymar was controversially substituted in Santos' Serie A match against Coritiba after match officials mistakenly read the wrong shirt number. The incident occurred in the 65th minute when the assistant referee held up the substitution board with Neymar's number 10, forcing him off the field. The incoming player was Robinho Jr.

Neymar was furious, refusing to leave the pitch and eventually receiving a yellow card for his reaction. He insisted that the player meant to be substituted was teammate Gonzalo Escobar. Santos' captain then snatched the substitution sheet from the referee, holding it up to television cameras to prove that Escobar's name, not his, was on the paper.

Santos lost 0-3 in that match and now face relegation danger with 18 points from 16 games. The club later confirmed the referee's mistake. “The assistant referee substituted the wrong player. This was an inexplicable error that was not corrected,” Santos posted on social media platform X.

Will Neymar play at the World Cup?

The famous number 10's place in the World Cup squad has been the hottest topic in local media and among fans in recent weeks. Neymar has spent the past few months proving his fitness for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He has scored 6 goals in 15 appearances for Santos since returning from knee surgery in February.

However, despite returning to play for his boyhood club, Neymar has still missed time due to muscle injuries. Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals (two more than legend Pelé) has publicly expressed his desire to wear the Selecao jersey again. The final decision rests with head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who will lead Brazil at the World Cup and through 2030.

What does Ancelotti say about selecting Neymar?

Ancelotti has repeatedly emphasized that Neymar needs to prove his fitness to be considered for call-up. “When you have to choose, you have to weigh many things. Neymar is an important player because of the talent he has always shown. But he has had issues and is working very hard to recover. Recently he has improved a lot and is playing regularly. This is clearly not an easy decision for me. I have to carefully consider the pros and cons,” Ancelotti told Reuters.

Teammates have lobbied for Neymar's inclusion, while fans remain divided between affection and worry about his condition. “I know Neymar is very well-liked, not only by the public but also by the players. This is also a factor, because we have to consider the atmosphere that will surround Neymar being called up,” Ancelotti added.

What does Neymar say about playing in the World Cup?

Speaking after the controversial match, Neymar said he has endured “nonsense” criticism during his injury recovery and is satisfied that he has done everything possible to prove his fitness. “Physically, I feel great. I've improved with each match. I've given my all – it hasn't been easy. There have been years of hard work, and a lot of nonsense has been said about my condition and what I'm doing. It's sad that people talk about it. I've worked hard, quietly, at home, suffering from what people say, and everything is fine. Whatever happens, Ancelotti will certainly call up the best 26 players for this battle,” Neymar said.

What role for Neymar in the Brazil lineup?

Even if fully fit, Neymar must fit into Ancelotti's plans. The Italian manager has said he wants four forwards who can run, press, and drop back to help defend – a demanding requirement for a player who has struggled to maintain fitness. Ancelotti insists the decision will be purely professional. “I am not pressured by anyone to call up Neymar. I have full autonomy. The decision will be 100% professional. I will only consider his performance as a football player. Nothing else,” he said.

When will Brazil announce the World Cup squad?

Coach Ancelotti is expected to release a preliminary squad next Monday. He may name up to 55 players, but the official list will be finalized on June 1 with 26 names.